It’s not only is eggs expensive due to the ongoing outbreak of avian flu. Now they are becoming more difficult to find. And even if there are eggs in the store, consumers are beginning to face limits on the number they can buy.
Eggs have become such a hot item, so there have also been some robbers who appear to be treating the egg yolk as if it were made of gold.
The problem remains unavoidable as the virus continues to mutate and infect more birds, other animals and some people. And when chicken or turkey gets sick, the entire flock is slaughtered, limiting the spread.
The shortage may not be an issue in your store as it tends to be isolated. However, there is no way to predict when a large farm with millions of birds will be attacked. And only one of those cases can cause supply problems.
As a result, prices have skyrocketed.
Avian influenza or avian influenza is a disease that naturally spreads among wild aquatic birds around the world, as well as poultry and other birds and animal species.
Jose Castillo said it’s becoming difficult to keep Cuban sandwiches and king cakes affordable at the Norma Sweets Bakery in New Orleans.
“Yeah, that’s a painful guy. Castillo, one of the bakery’s co-owners, said, “I usually get it in a $35, $40 case and now I’m paying $118, $120 and more.”
It’s hard to find
Empty shelves where eggs are thought to be more common all over the country. Shoppers should check out two or three stores, or search for local farmers to get eggs.
This outbreak has cost a lot of poultry since it began in 2022. Almost 158 million birds have been slaughtered overall, with mostly egg-selling chickens.
It hurts egg supply and increases prices. But with over 300 million chickens nationwide laying eggs for breakfast and grilling, the industry can usually deal with the loss of millions of birds without much confusion.
The problem arises when you have to kill a large number of birds. More than 23 million birds died last month and 18 million people were slaughtered in December.
And if egg farmers have to kill the entire flock, they will need to dispose of the farm and all barns must be disinfected before the farm is settled, so at least to get new birds. It will take a month or two. The effect remains.
Purchase restrictions
Trader Joe’s purchases in one carton per customer every day, a Monrovia, California-based chain confirmed. That limit applies to all trader Joe locations across the country.
“We hope these restrictions will help many of our customers who need eggs to buy them when they visit Trader Joe,” the company said on Tuesday in the statement sent to the Associated Press. stated in.
Additionally, consumers and some local media have reported various restrictions seen at stores such as Costco, Whole Foods, Kroger and Aldi locations. But not all of these restrictions are national.
For example, a Kroger spokesman confirmed that the supermarket giant currently does not have “enterprise-wide restrictions,” but the regional department and some store banners have been able to purchase two dozen eggs per trip. He says he wants it from his customers.
Walmart says it doesn’t impose national restrictions either — the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant, except for the bulky purchase of a 60-count carton that is restricted to two per purchase, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant on Tuesday I’ve checked.
“Even though supply is very strict, we are working with our suppliers to help us meet customer demand while keeping prices as low as possible,” Walmart said in an email.
Expensive options
The national average price reached $4.15 in December (more than double the price in summer 2023). And the agricultural sector, which expects prices to rise by another 20% this year, is not in sight.
Eggs are popular for holiday dishes and traditional Easter egg hunts, so demand increases as Easter approaches.
So, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases new numbers on Wednesday, the price of the egg is almost certain, but it probably won’t hit the $4.82 record set in January 2023.
But of course, they are just average prices. Consumers have already paid more than $10 per dozen in several locations across the country. Especially if you choose the more expensive organic or cage-free option.
Beyond grocery store restrictions, US consumers are facing more expensive eggs in some restaurants. For example, Waffle House said last week it would add an extra 50 cents per egg to all menu items.
Split the case
With the high prices, it’s no wonder thieves began craving eggs.
Seattle police said last week they were investigating theft of more than 500 eggs from the restaurant.
Security camera footage from early morning hours last Wednesday showed two men in a refrigerated shed at Luna Park Cafe in West Seattle. The man removed the box containing 540 eggs and liquid egg products, bacon, ground beef and blueberries, and stuffed it into a van before leaving the scene. The stolen breakfast items are worth around $780, police said.
Earlier this month, 100,000 eggs were reported stolen from behind a Pennsylvania trailer. Police say 100,000 eggs were snatched from the back of a Pete & Jerry organics distribution trailer on Saturday at about 8:40pm, police said.
The stolen eggs are worth around $40,000.
Associated Press reporters Claire Rush, Stephen Smith and Manuel Valdes contributed to the report.
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