The price of eggs has hit an all-time high, driven by the return of the infamous avian-influenza outbreak. This left tens of millions of dead chickens and turkeys in its wake as it raged through almost all of the 50 states this year.
The wholesale price for a 12-pack of eggs hit $5.36 this month, according to reports from Urner Barry. This means eggs have spiked more than any other grocery item so far, with a climb of over 30% from January to December this year.
Poultry flocks decimated by the recent bird flu outbreak
This spike followed the price increase of the average Thanksgiving dinner, which was largely caused by Bidenflation, leaving many Americans concerned with what’s to come.
Egg prices are up 192% year to date.
Inflation? What inflation? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mu3dpJ9l78
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) December 16, 2022
Eggs are a staple product for any household, just like milk and butter. When basic necessities like this start spiraling out of control, there’s more than enough reason to become worried, especially if there’s more to it than just inflation.
Some grocers are even claiming they’ve given up on most of the profit they have from eggs in order to remain competitive with their pricing; although the outbreak’s impact is already visible.
Some egg suppliers believe the price will eventually drop by the time February rolls around, but with the cold weather right around the corner, production in the next month could be decimated.
Egg prices are out of control. There's no way I'm paying $9 for 18 eggs. pic.twitter.com/t8sYqxcFHp
— Your Rideshare Driver (@ride_trips) December 22, 2022
The egg quote continues to grow every week
Dan O’Neill, director of Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets center store, said they’re doing everything in their power to keep eggs at an affordable price. Despite having bought them for $5.09 recently, he’s selling them just above cost, to break even.
As eggs continue to go up in price, supermarkets are reporting increased sales of organic eggs compared to conventional ones, with suppliers confirming consumer demand hasn’t moved, despite the price shift.
Around 58 million birds died from this year’s avian influenza strain, making this the deadliest outbreak in US history, forcing poultry farmers to destroy entire flocks to limit the spread of the infection.
Egg prices got dudes out here like: pic.twitter.com/4nGc2Pvzxq
— ♡ Radical Resonance ♡ (@MotherofXaos) December 16, 2022
However, the chief executive of the American Egg Board, Emily Metz, believes shortages are a long way off. This is because egg supplies have been more stable this year, even in the face of the bird flu outbreak we are currently witnessing.
Unfortunately, we may only be looking at the tip of the iceberg, seeing as the 2015 outbreak only truly ended in June. Now, it’s back, stronger than ever, leaving nothing but dead flocks of birds in its wake.
The #1 issue is there just isn’t a good substitute for eggs. Meanwhile, with everyone shifting towards a warmer breakfast meal on these cold winter mornings, the supply chains are bound to have a hard time with keeping this pace up.
This article appeared in The Record Daily and has been published here with permission.
