Aberdeenshire-based egg producer Farmlay is to almost double productivity for 2025 with a £2.4m investment in a state-of-the-art egg grader.
The AI-based computer vision grading equipment uses advanced algorithms and deep learning techniques to analyse high-resolution images of eggs, differentiating between normal ones and those with cracks. It can also detect variations in colour, texture and shape – all while absorbing new data to become more proficient.
Farmlay’s current egg grader yields 500 cases an hour and the new one will add a further 400.
Despite widespread fears that AI will replace humans in the workplace, the introduction of the new kit will generate around 10 jobs, to deal with Farmlay’s increased output.
The family business, which supplies Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Spar with its own – and a growing stable of contract producers’ eggs – is based at Cockmuir Farm, near Strichen.
The investment comes with eggs growing in popularity with shoppers.
Retail sales have increased by more than 20% between 2004 and 2023, although both Covid-19 and bird flu led to shortages in stores. These shortages prompted many retailers to offer five-year rolling contracts to producers.
“In many ways those empty supermarket shelves were a blessing,” said Iain Chapman, managing director of Farmlay. “No retailer wants to see a repeat of the egg shortages and that – together with the increased consumption figures – has given them the confidence to show more long-term support.
“This really is a golden age for egg production.”
