Egg prices soar to unprecedented levels as shoppers scramble to find affordable alternatives

By bellecarter // 2024-12-26

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The cost of a dozen large eggs has surged due to the bird flu scare and increased demand, with prices in the Midwest hitting $5.67 and $8.85 in California.
Since mid-October, approximately 17 million egg-laying hens and pullets have been culled, significantly reducing egg supply and contributing to price hikes.
California's strict regulations on raising chickens are exacerbating the egg shortage, adding to the already high prices and impacting supply chains.
Consumer advocacy groups assert that large egg producers are taking advantage of the situation, with some companies like Cal-Maine experiencing significant stock price increases.
With stubborn inflation and soaring prices, many consumers are forced to find alternatives or pay exorbitant prices, potentially changing holiday baking traditions.

As the holiday baking season kicks into high gear, consumers are facing a major shock in the form of sky-high egg prices. A combination of the bird flu outbreak threats and surging demand has pushed egg prices to unprecedented levels, leaving many shoppers scrambling to find affordable alternatives. According to the latest data from Expana, a price-reporting service, the cost of a dozen large eggs in the Midwest has reached an astronomical $5.67, surpassing the previous all−time high. In California, the situation is even more dire, with prices hitting a jaw-dropping $8.85 per dozen due to the state's strict cage-free requirements for chickens. (Related: Bird flu panic: Is California's state of emergency overhyped?) The "bird flu outbreak," which first emerged in an American flock in February 2022, has taken a heavy toll on the nation's poultry industry. Since mid-October, around 17 million egg-laying hens and younger birds known as pullets have been culled, significantly reducing the supply of eggs and fueling the price surge. This isn't just a minor inconvenience, it's a full-blown crisis. Holiday bakers are facing a perfect storm of circumstances that are pushing prices to dizzying heights. The demand for eggs during the holiday season is at an all-time high, as consumers stock up to whip up their favorite treats. However, the supply chain is severely disrupted and retailers are struggling to meet the soaring demand.

Bird flu outbreak narrative is a smokescreen for profiteering

The situation is made even worse by the fact that some states like California have strict regulations on how hens can be raised. California's cage-free policies may be well-intentioned, but they're also contributing to the egg shortage. Some egg producers are reaping huge profits. The stock price of Cal-Maine, the top U.S. egg producer, has rallied an impressive 127 percent since news of the bird flu outbreak spread. While it's great news for them, it's a bitter pill for consumers who are already grappling with stubborn inflation. Some consumer advocacy groups argue that the bird flu outbreak is being used as a smokescreen for profiteering. They claim that the impact of the virus on egg production has been overstated and that the real issue lies in the anti-competitive practices of large egg producers. Farm Action, an anti-monopoly group, asserted in a September report that the virus had a much smaller effect on egg production than the industry has suggested. They argue that the monthly size of the nation's egg-laying hen flock in 2022 was only 4.8 percent smaller on a year-over-year basis and that egg production was boosted by "record high" lay rates. The group claims that the real culprit behind the price hikes is the "profiteering and anti-competitive market structures" that allow the largest egg producers to charge exorbitant prices. Related stories can be found on FoodInflation.news. Watch the video below where California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency in response to bird flu. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

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Bird flu outbreak narrative is a smokescreen for profiteering

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