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A resurgence of avian flu, which first struck the United States in 2022, is once again affecting chicken farms, causing egg prices to skyrocket and leaving consumers shocked. Many are used to purchasing eggs at affordable prices, but the ongoing crisis has left them grappling with skyrocketing costs.
In Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas, supermarket shelves are often bare, or at best, only partially stocked with eggs. Some stores have even imposed limits on the number of cartons customers can purchase. The price hikes have left many consumers stunned.
In response to frustrated customers, a Washington supermarket posted a message explaining the price hikes: “You may notice a price increase on eggs at this time due to the recent avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest,” a major agricultural hub for the country.
The US Agriculture Department reported on Friday that more than 21 million egg-laying hens have been euthanised this year due to the disease, with Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri among the worst-affected states. In December alone, another 13.2 million hens were culled.
Experts say these mass culls have led to a shortage of eggs, pushing prices higher.
“If there are no birds to lay eggs… then we have a supply shortage, and that leads to higher prices because of supply and demand dynamics,” said Jada Thompson, a poultry specialist at the University of Arkansas.
Some grocers have even kept prices at record or near-record highs to curb demand, according to the US Agriculture Department.
The average price of a dozen Grade A eggs in December was 65 per cent higher than the previous year, jumping from $2.50 to $4.15, official data revealed.
It’s not just consumers feeling the pinch. Waffle House, a beloved restaurant chain known for its breakfast menu, made headlines after introducing a 50-cent surcharge for every egg.
“The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (bird flu) has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices,” Waffle House explained in a statement to CNN. “Customers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions.”
The avian flu outbreak isn’t just limited to poultry—it’s also affecting dairy cows. The virus has been detected in 67 humans since the beginning of last year, though nearly all cases were mild and connected to direct contact with infected animals.
Americans are some of the world’s biggest egg consumers, particularly at breakfast time. On average, each person consumes 277 eggs a year, according to the United Egg Producers, an agricultural cooperative.
