Key information
- Wholesale egg prices reached unprecedented levels at the start of the year.
- A dozen eggs in Midwest supermarkets cost an average of $5.67, surpassing the previous record of $5.46 set in December 2022.
- Around 17 million laying hens and young birds have been culled due to cases of bird flu.
The Urner Barry Egg Index indicates that wholesale egg prices reached unprecedented levels in the United States earlier this year. This increase is mainly attributed to the continued impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has severely affected commercial poultry flocks and reduced the country’s egg-laying capacity.
Impact on retail prices
Recent data from Expana found that a dozen eggs in Midwest supermarkets cost an average of $5.67, surpassing the previous record of $5.46 set in December 2022. Karyn Rispoli, Editor-in-Chief of Expana for eggs in the Americas, attributed the increase to a combination of production losses linked to avian flu and increased demand from retailers during the holiday baking season. end of the year.
Reduction in laying capacity
Since mid-October, around 17 million laying hens and young birds called pullets have been culled due to a surge in avian flu cases, marking one of the most serious periods of the current outbreak since its initial appearance in February 2022.
Egg shortages and rising prices
Last week, the USDA reported that national egg production reached 8.92 billion, down 4 percent from the same period last year. This decline has led to egg shortages in supermarkets in some parts of the United States. Online searches for “egg shortage” have also reached levels comparable to late 2022.
Regional price variations
In California alone, USDA data shows the price of a dozen large white eggs reached $8.97 last week, a significant increase from $5.23 in late November, which represents a jump of 70 percent. These persistent egg shortages and soaring retail prices highlight the need for consumers to explore alternative food sources and reduce their dependence on centralized companies.
Impact on Livestock Futures
Cattle futures in Chicago also hit record highs last week, driven by the continued reduction in the size of the domestic herd.
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