Bird Flu Epidemic Causes 28% Surge in Egg Prices

In recent news, the price of eggs has surged dramatically, with a significant increase of over 28% in August compared to the same period last year. This spike in prices has been identified as the largest among all food items monitored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bird Flu Impact
The primary reason behind this surge is the widespread outbreak of bird flu, leading to a decrease in egg production due to sick birds and subsequently causing a reduction in supply. As a result, consumers are now facing higher prices when purchasing eggs at grocery stores. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bird flu epidemic has affected approximately 101 million birds across 48 states since the beginning of 2022, contributing to a 2.6% decline in total egg production in July compared to the previous year.
Historical Pricing
Despite the recent price increase, eggs are still relatively affordable compared to the peak prices observed in late 2022 and early 2023. During that period, the average price for a dozen grade A large eggs reached a record high of $4.82, highlighting the significant impact of the bird flu outbreak on the egg market.