January imports of shell eggs almost doubled year on year, with few good explanations: UK consumption has not doubled, nor is sterling twice as high as it was last January. Currency no doubt has played a role: imports are high but exports are down 45%, according to the latest MAFF figures. Processing may offer part of the explanation, since it needs large volumes of shell eggs ­ cheaply. Thus some of the eggs that did not go abroad would have been processed in the UK anyway ­ and a strong pound will have tempted in imports. MAFF reports that processors accounted for the equivalent of 19.1% of national output. {{PROVISIONS }}