Key Takeaways:
– Avian flu once again threatens US poultry, spiking egg prices
– Recently observed egg shortage in Washington and its suburbs
– Over 21 million egg-laying hens were euthanized due to avian flu this year
– Supermarkets limit egg cartons per client amid high demand
– Prices of a dozen Grade A eggs spike by 65%, reaching an average of $4.15
The Avian Flu Outbreak and Its Impact
The avian flu, which first caused worry in 2022, has shown signs of resurgence in the United States and has hit chicken farms like a stone through a window. The virus is making the days of walking into a store and picking up a carton of eggs for merely a few dollars seem like a distant dream. The prices of eggs have flown the nest and continue to climb.
It’s not just in the nations’ capital of Washington and its suburbs where consumers are facing the brunt of the flu. The situation is frying minds in the sunny state of Florida as well.
Egg Shortages Frustrate Consumers
Imagine taking a trip to your local supermarket, only to find the egg shelves barren or barely stocked. That’s a reality for many folks these days. Not just that, some stores even limit how many carton every customer can buy. It’s a tough eggshell to crack for shoppers like 26-year-old student Samantha Lopez who explained that it’s getting more and more difficult to afford eggs as they soar in price.
The same feeling is shared by Miami resident Blanche De Jesus. He pointed out that while eggs are an important and nutritious part of the diet, the rising costs made them nearly unaffordable.
Rising Prices and Clipped Supplies
When consumers asked why, a Washington supermarket shed light on the situation. They explained that the recent outbreak of avian flu in the Midwest, America’s agricultural juggernaut, has caused prices to go up.
The impact of the avian flu is hard to overstate. More than 21 million egg-laying hens have been put down this year due to the disease, according to recent data. The majority of these were in the Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri states. A further dip in population was recorded in December when another 13.2 million hens had to be culled.
Jada Thompson, a poultry specialist at the University of Arkansas indicated that when there are fewer birds to lay eggs, supply drops, and that leads to a price hike due to supply-demand dynamics.
Holding Prices at Near-Record Highs
In response to the shortage, grocery stores are ‘holding prices at record or near-record highs to dampen demand,’ as stated by the Agriculture Department. Statistics show that the average cost of a dozen Grade A eggs has increased by an eye-watering 65% in December compared to the prior year, jumping from $2.50 to $4.15.
But the burden of the price increase isn’t exclusively on the consumers. Waffle House, a popular restaurant chain, grabbed the spotlight when it started charging an extra 50 cents per egg due to the ongoing shortage.
Looking Ahead
On a somewhat brighter note, the virus has been found not only in poultry but also in dairy cows, but the human cases remain minimal. Since last year, only sixty-seven cases have been reported, most of them benign and limited to those in contact with infected animals.
The situation remains concerning as Americans, being one of the world’s biggest egg consumers, would significantly feel the change. Especially when you remember that a person in the US eats, on average, 277 eggs annually, according to the United Egg Producers. As we look ahead, the hope is that the flu will be contained, and the chicken farms will recover their losses, bringing egg prices back from its current high perch.