The ongoing bird flu outbreak has led to a surge in egg prices, forcing bakeries like Bread Furst in Washington, DC, and Manhattan Sweets Boutique Bakery on Long Island, New York, to raise their prices. The two bakeries use about 150 eggs a day and pay more than double what they used to pay a year ago.
Egg prices are surging nationwide after the outbreak led to the culling of tens of millions of chickens last year, resulting in an egg shortage. Wholesale fresh egg prices were 186% higher in January compared to the same month a year earlier.
To cope with the shortage, bakeries like Bread Furst and Manhattan Sweets Boutique Bakery are considering alternative ingredients such as egg replacers and plant-based egg products. Eat Just Inc., which makes several plant-based egg products, has seen a five-fold increase in sales over the past month compared to last year.
Bakeries are also grappling with other supply chain issues, including high cocoa prices. The rising costs of eggs will likely force bakeries to raise their prices again, but effective communication is key to minimizing customer backlash.
Many business owners believe that transparency and clear explanation are crucial in managing expectations when raising prices. “It all boils down to how well a business can explain why and how they’re sharing the pain,” said Charles Lindsey, a marketing professor at the University at Buffalo School of Management.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/23/economy/surging-egg-prices-bakeries/index.html