Canada appears safe from the drastic price increases in eggs seen in the United States, thanks to smaller farms and a resilient supply management system. The U.S. is experiencing an avian flu outbreak that has wiped out over 20 million chickens last quarter, leading to record-high egg prices.
In contrast, Canadian farms have an average of 25,000 laying hens per farm, which makes them less vulnerable to the spread of the disease. Industry experts say Canada will likely not see a similar spike in egg prices due to its smaller and more competitive farming industry.
The U.S. is facing significant challenges in managing the outbreak, with farms often having to euthanize entire flocks if an infected bird lands on the premises. This can lead to significant losses and disrupt production. In contrast, Canada’s supply management system allows farmers to work together and share resources to manage disease outbreaks.
While Canadian egg prices have risen slightly, they remain lower than those in the U.S. The average retail price for a dozen eggs in Canada was $4.85 CAD in November, compared to $8.85 USD in California. Industry experts warn that Canadians should be vigilant and understand that bird flu is an ongoing challenge, but say that prices are unlikely to skyrocket like they have in the U.S.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/egg-prices-avian-flu-canada-us-1.7450654