Food businesses need to brace themselves for a shortage of egg sandwiches and empty shelves post-Brexit, experts have warned.

British Lion egg processors have warned that Britain will struggle with supply issues when Britain leaves the EU on 29 March unless contingency plans are put in place.

The UK, it said, was “particularly vulnerable” as up to 10,000 products in an average supermarket contain egg as an ingredient, which could have “much wider” implications.

Uncertainty over tariff levels, potential delays and confusion over the requirements of new paperwork for those choosing to import egg products after 29 March, as well as recurring issues with the safety of eggs and egg products produced abroad were also among the concerns cited.

Ian Jones, British Lion egg processors chairman said the ‘Breggsit’ storm was now here, and wouldn’t change, “deal or no deal”.

“We will work with manufacturers and retailers to manage their requirements as best we can, but it needs to be made clear that those conversations need to happen sooner rather than later,” he said.

“It should also be made clear that the ramifications of Brexit on egg products supply are unlikely to be resolved quickly, so food businesses also need to work with the processing industry on long-term sustainable agreements to minimise its impact.

“I strongly urge food businesses across the UK to ‘trust the Lion’ and rely on British Lion eggs and egg products – for both surety of supply and food safety.”