Egg Prices Continue to Rise Amid Ongoing Bird Flu Concerns
Egg prices are soaring again as the bird flu sweeps the US for the third straight year, cutting into supply. Seasonal factors have pushed demand up due to holiday baking and cold winter weather, leading consumers to buy more eggs than normal. It seems there isn't much relief for egg prices on the horizon.
The cost of a dozen grade-A large eggs hit $4.15 in December, up from $2.51 a year ago. The average price hasn’t been below $3 since June, nor below $2 since the start of 2022. Wholesale prices have climbed even higher, with Midwest large eggs reaching $7.27 a dozen, compared to a five-year average of $2.10. Variations exist depending on location, with smaller retailers averaging $5.31 per dozen.
Experts express concern over long-term structural issues like the current bird flu epidemic. “We are all in uncharted territory,” said Brian Moscogiuri, a global trade strategist at Eggs Unlimited, noting a loss of 26 million birds since October.
The bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, differs from past outbreaks, spreading persistently and affecting various species. There’s no effective single solution to curb this issue, worsened by climate change and farming practices. Significant investments in biosecurity and tracking may be necessary but are costly. Further complications arise from trade restrictions on vaccinated birds.
Meta factors include consistent high demand for eggs during the holiday season and rising consumption trends. Despite price increases, eggs remain a budget-friendly protein option for many Americans. Industry experts warn that egg prices likely won’t decrease soon, particularly in states enforcing cage-free regulations which add further costs.
