Bird Flu Outbreak Still Influencing Prices
The spike in egg prices can largely be traced to the bird flu outbreak that started in early 2022. This highly contagious virus led to the culling of more than 169 million birds globally, including a large number of egg-laying hens in the United States.
With millions of birds removed from the production cycle, the egg supply dropped sharply. Smaller poultry farms took a particularly hard hit. Many lacked the financial support to recover, and some exited the industry entirely. This created a shortage that drove prices up and limited competition.
Although the virus has slowed, the egg industry continues to recover. Rebuilding flocks takes time, and farmers must also invest in stricter biosecurity measures. Until the supply chain stabilizes, egg prices may continue to fluctuate.
Read More: What You Should Know About Bird Flu Before Eating Eggs & Poultry
