Skea Egg Farms Ltd is a producer and packer of eggs. Managing Director, Matthew Hayes started the business in the early 1970’s when Skea Egg Farms Ltd initially supplied the wholesale market. Mergers with Richlea Eggs and Burnside Eggs led to Skea Egg Farms Ltd becoming the largest local producer/packer. It now supplies premium eggs to a large number of multiple and independent retailers.
Having toured the packing facilities, Minister Gildernew said: “Family run businesses are at the heart of our agri-food industry and the Hayes family continue to make a major contribution to our poultry sector. Skea Eggs plays a key role in the local poultry packing industry and is to be congratulated for its commitment to providing such a high quality product.
“Over the years it has successfully marketed its product innovatively. I am impressed by the extent of the modern facilities which are now operating in Donaghmore. It is only through an ongoing process of awareness and modernisation such as Skea Eggs illustrates here, that local companies can increase market share and adhere to the latest legislation.
“These facilities offer local poultry growers a stable and sustainable outlet for their products and help maintain industry and jobs in the rural community. I am proud that my Department was able to assist Skea Eggs to successfully secure almost £287,000 grant aid from the previous PMG scheme to help them expand. Local processors and producers should all take heed of what can be achieved with PMG funding and consider what opportunities the new Rural Development Programme could offer them or their business.”
The Processing and Marketing (PMG) Scheme is worth £21.5million and forms part of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The PMG scheme encourages the agriculture, horticulture and forestry sectors to become more competitive, to respond to customer demand, to be more innovative and to add value to their produce. The scheme is currently open to applicants and further information is available in the Grants and Funding section of the DARD Website 
Notes to Editors:
- The PMG Scheme provides support towards capital investment including the construction of new buildings, the refurbishment of old buildings and the purchase of new equipment for the processing of primary products.
- Skea processes eggs from five different production systems – Battery/Cage, Free Range, Barn, Organic and the recently developed Omega 3. Skea supplies the majority of the leading multiple and independent retailers including Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Sainsburys and Musgrave Super Valu. The majority of eggs packed by Skea are purchased from other local producers thus maintaining the sustainability of many local egg producers other than Skea Egg Farms themselves.
- Skea Eggs previously received £286,981 funding under the Department’s EU Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG) Scheme towards the cost of upgrading the processing facility including new grading and packing equipment. The PMG Scheme is worth £21.5million and forms part of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
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