A nationwide shortage of eggs is driving prices to record highs in the US, with California being the worst affected. The highly contagious bird flu has caused the loss of 159.3 million commercial and backyard poultry since February 2022. The virus, which was responsible for a significant increase in egg production costs, has led to an average price of $4.95 per dozen eggs.
The situation is further exacerbated by California’s requirement that eggs be raised in cage-free systems, making the state’s egg prices even more expensive. In January, a dozen eggs in California cost nearly $9, up 70% from the previous month. The US Bureau of Labor reported a 15.2% increase in the Consumer Price Index for eggs.
To combat the bird flu, some lawmakers have proposed vaccine development and compensation for poultry farmers who lost their birds. However, not all producers are on board with vaccination, as foreign buyers are hesitant to buy vaccinated birds.
The situation has led to limited egg supplies, with grocery stores imposing limits on customers and restaurants increasing prices for eggs. Some have even resorted to smuggling eggs from Mexico, a move that is against US regulations due to the risk of disease transmission.
Economists predict that it may take several months before egg prices start dropping. It will take around 16-24 weeks for young hens to produce an egg, and farmers need time to repopulate their barns while ensuring new birds are not infected with bird flu.
The ongoing battle against the bird flu could have long-lasting effects on smaller poultry farmers, who may be permanently knocked out of business. The virus has already caused significant losses in the industry, and experts suspect that this round of outbreaks may be enough to wipe out some smaller farms.
Source: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article300355089.html