The bird flu outbreak significantly impacts U.S. egg prices, which have more than doubled since summer 2023, with current average prices around $4.15 per dozen. The Agriculture Department warns prices may rise another 20% as demand surges ahead of Easter. The outbreak has resulted in the slaughter of millions of chickens, leading to supply shortages and empty shelves in grocery stores. Restrictions on purchases have been implemented in some locations, exacerbating the situation and sparking frustration among consumers due to soaring costs and weakened availability.
It's just robbery," said Minneapolis resident Sage Mills, who bought eggs to bake a birthday cake last week. "Eggs used to be kind of a staple food for us, but now you know, you might as well just go out to eat.
The bird flu outbreak that started in 2022 is the main reason egg prices are up so much. Anytime the virus is found on a poultry farm, the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the virus' spread.
And with massive egg farms routinely housing more than 1 million chickens, just a few infections can cause a supply crunch. The problem tends to linger because it takes months to dispose of all the carcasses.
The Agriculture Department predicts prices are going to soar another 20% this year. Shoppers in some parts of the country are already paying more than double the average price.
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