Bird Flu Outbreak Causes 28% Surge in Egg Prices

In a recent development, egg prices have seen a significant increase of more than 28% compared to last year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this surge is the largest among all food items tracked.
Bird flu
has been identified as the main factor behind the escalating egg prices. The outbreak has resulted in sick birds, leading to a decrease in egg production and subsequently causing a decrease in supply, thus driving prices up in grocery stores. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that bird flu has affected approximately 101 million birds in 48 states since the beginning of 2022, contributing to a 2.6% decline in total egg production in July, compared to the previous year. Despite the recent spike in prices, the cost of eggs remains lower than the peak prices observed in late 2022 and early 2023. During that time, the average price for a dozen grade A large eggs reached a record high of $4.82.