It looks like grocery shoppers hoping for soaring egg prices to turn around are likely to be waiting a while
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The ongoing bird flu crisis is causing farmers to cull millions of chickens every month, driving U.S. egg prices to more than double their summer 2023 levels. With Easter approaching, demand is intensifying, and there appears to be no immediate relief in sight.
In December, the average price per dozen eggs nationwide reached $4.15, a significant increase, though not quite as high as the record $4.82 set two years ago. The Agriculture Department predicts prices could rise another 20% this year.
In some regions, shoppers are paying more than double the national average, and some store shelves are empty. Organic and cage-free eggs are priced even higher, and certain grocery stores have started imposing purchase limits.
“It’s just robbery,” said Sage Mills from Minneapolis, who bought eggs for baking a birthday cake last week. “Eggs used to be a staple food, but now it’s like you might as well just eat out.”
What’s driving these price hikes? The bird flu outbreak that began in 2022 is largely to blame. When the virus is detected on a poultry farm, the entire flock must be destroyed to prevent the spread, and with large egg farms housing over a million chickens, even a few infections can lead to significant shortages. The process of disposing of carcasses, disinfecting barns, and restocking with new birds can take months.
Since the outbreak began, over 145 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been culled, with most being egg-layers. In addition, cage-free egg laws in 10 states are contributing to the price surge. These laws require certain standards for space or conditions for egg-laying hens. For example, at a Target in Chicago, conventional eggs were priced at $4.49 per dozen, while cage-free eggs were $6.19.
Why is the virus so difficult to control? Bird flu primarily spreads through wild birds, such as ducks and geese, especially during migration. These birds can carry the virus without falling ill, giving it the chance to mutate and spread. The virus can be transmitted through droppings or any contact between wild and farm-raised poultry. It can also be inadvertently carried onto farms by workers’ boots or vehicles.
Unlike previous outbreaks, the current one persisted even through the summer, and last year, the virus infected dairy cattle, providing additional opportunities for transmission. While cattle rarely die from bird flu, their illness has contributed to the virus’s persistence. More than 60 people have become ill with bird flu, though none have contracted it through human-to-human transmission.
What is being done to prevent further spread? Farmers are taking extensive measures to protect their flocks, such as installing truck washes, requiring workers to shower and change clothes before entering barns, and using separate tools for each barn. Some farms even use lasers to deter wild birds from landing.
Dairy farmers are also isolating sick cattle and testing them for bird flu before moving them off farms. The government has been testing milk for contamination.
Future vaccines could help, but mass vaccination of chickens is not practical, and some countries might refuse to import meat from vaccinated birds. Health officials emphasize that properly cooking poultry to 165 degrees (74°C) kills bird flu, as does pasteurization for milk. Raw milk has been the only food linked to illness during the outbreak.
How much has the outbreak cost so far? The financial toll is hard to estimate, but farmers have spent significant sums on biosecurity measures. “Over the last five years, my small farm alone has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Minnesota turkey farmer Loren Brey. “It’s not just the money, it’s the time spent every day on biosecurity.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has spent at least $1.14 billion compensating farmers for the culled birds, and an additional $576 million on its own response. The bird flu has also affected turkey, milk, and chicken prices.
Mike Vickers, manager at Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket in Minneapolis, said he’s struggling to keep organic, cage-free, or brown eggs in stock. “It’s the first time in my life that I’ve ever had to be embarrassed about the price of eggs,” he said. “We’re paying $7.45 per dozen and selling them for $7.59. We make 14 cents, and that doesn’t even cover the bills.”