Surge in Egg Prices Linked to Bird Flu Outbreak in the United States
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New York, Jan 10 (NationPress) The price of eggs has skyrocketed nationwide, increasing by about 38 percent in the past year in the United States. The average cost for a dozen eggs climbed to $3.65 in November, up from $3.37 in October and $2.14 in November 2023, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
As noted by USA Today on Thursday, $3.65 serves as the average price. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) reported that the wholesale price for a carton of large eggs in the New York market has reached $6.06 per dozen, while prices in the Midwest hover around $5.75, and California sees prices soaring to $8.97 as of January 3.
In some instances, eggs are completely missing from store shelves, reported Xinhua news agency.
Experts and consumers alike attribute this sharp price increase to several key factors: the persistent bird flu outbreak, escalating operational costs, and in certain areas, alterations in local legislation. The timeline for a potential price stabilization remains uncertain, according to the report.
The ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is the primary contributor to the current egg crisis in the country.
The USDA AMS indicated in a January 3 report that retail markets nationwide are experiencing record-high prices, largely due to significant outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting commercial egg-laying flocks through December.
As of January 6, more than 130 million poultry across 50 states in the US have been impacted by the virus since January 2022, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The extensive spread of the virus has resulted in the culling of infected birds throughout the United States, with some locations reporting casualties in the millions.
