Egg prices in the US have skyrocketed by 15% in January, reaching $4.95 per dozen, as retailers struggle to keep up with demand due to the ongoing avian flu outbreak. The price surge is a significant increase from just over two years ago, when eggs cost around $1.54 per dozen.
The current strain of bird flu, H5N1, has led to the deaths of over 40 million egg-laying birds in the US since its emergence in 2022. This has resulted in a severe shortage of eggs, with many retailers imposing limits on purchases or charging extra for them.
Waffle House recently added a 50-cent surcharge per egg, while Walmart is limiting customers to two cartons of 60-count eggs per purchase. Other major grocery chains, such as Kroger and Giant Eagle, are also taking steps to manage demand and keep prices under control.
Experts predict that egg prices will continue to rise in the short term but expect a slower pace over the course of the year. According to David Anderson, an agricultural economics professor at Texas A&M University, supply constraints will persist until bird flu outbreaks are controlled.
To mitigate the impact on consumers, cost-conscious shoppers can comparison shop among stores, use store circulars, or buy eggs with cash-back credit cards. However, experts caution that even small price differences may not be enough to offset the overall increase in gas costs.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egg-prices-bird-flu-inflation-stores-limit-purchases