The US egg industry is reeling from a devastating bird flu outbreak, with 120 million birds lost since 2022, including 45 million egg-laying hens over the past few months. According to Eggs Unlimited Vice President Brian Moscogiuri, this is potentially the worst bird flu outbreak in history.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed 68 human cases of bird flu, with one death. The virus has been detected in dairy cattle, wild birds, poultry flocks, and other mammals.
To mitigate the shortage, some companies are imposing limits on egg sales or adding surcharges. Grocery chains like Trader Joe’s, Korger, and Whole Foods have also been limiting customer purchases or increasing prices. Egg prices have risen 15% since January, with a year-over-year increase of 53%.
Moscogiuri emphasized the need for help in identifying where the virus is entering farms and finding solutions to stop it. “The real crisis is that we’re going through the worst bird flu outbreak that we’ve had in the last 10 years,” he said.
As one of the largest international egg suppliers, Eggs Unlimited is working to ensure customers receive their orders despite the shortage. Moscogiuri acknowledged that business is “difficult” right now, but his team is focused on maintaining supply and limiting the impact on consumers.
Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/egg-farmers-facing-worst-bird-flu-outbreak-history-industry-leader-fears