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Why are egg prices so high? Bird flu outbreak worsens, sparks egg limits and rationing [1]
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Date: 2025-02
Egg prices are soaring as the bird flew outbreak continues to worsen — causing egg shortages.
A highly transmissible and fatal strain of avian influenza type H5N1 that started in 2022 has grown into the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history. As of last week, the virus had affected over 157 million birds since January 2022, more specifically, over 122 million egg-laying hens according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Shoppers are paying $4.95 on average for a dozen large Grade A eggs at the supermarket, although a dozen large eggs is actually wholesaling for $7.74 per dozen, on average, according to the USDA. Some areas are seeing significantly higher prices than these averages, as they can vary by region.
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When an outbreak occurs, egg producers are forced to cull their flocks, per USDA policy, which in turn, impacts the amount of eggs produced and available for sale. Once the disease enters a bird house, all birds in that bird house must be euthanized to prevent further spread.
The shortage in egg supply and the high cost of eggs has caused some stores and restaurants to place limits or rations on the amount of eggs one can buy.
Stores such as Publix, Trader Joe's are limiting sales to a dozen per customer; Kroger and Aldi's have a two dozen limit, and Whole Foods and Costco have a three dozen limit. Limits continue to vary by store and location.
A New York bodega has taken a different approach and is reportedly selling a trio of eggs for $2.99 as on option, instead of the $12 per dozen in the store.
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"If they are spending $12 on one dozen eggs, how are they going to get the other stuff, like bread, milk, butter," said store owner Fernando Rodriguez in a news report, explaining his store's reaction to rising prices.
What is avian flu?
Avian flu is caused by an influenza type A virus that can infect poultry such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as well as wild birds (especially waterfowl). Avian flu virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.
How long might we expect to see the high prices?
It's unclear when the cost of eggs may drop, but it could be after 2025, as reported by USA TODAY. That may largely depend on how long it takes farmers and producers to recover their stocks of healthy laying hens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified more than 20 outbreaks in just the first five days of February.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Egg prices soaring amid bird flu: egg purchase limits, egg rationing
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[1] Url:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-egg-prices-high-bird-180653557.html
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