When people go to the grocery store, eggs usually fall under the list of necessities. Whether individuals are considering adding more protein into their diet, looking to bake a cake, or shopping for their normal breakfast option, eggs are a staple food and ingredient for many Americans. However, egg prices have recently been skyrocketing and many consumers are outraged over the fact that their dozen eggs have doubled or even tripled in price. It has antagonized the wallets of many Americans, and the problem can be traced to the Bird Flu.
H5N1 is a specific strain of the Avian Influenza virus, or Bird Flu, that is extremely infectious and contagious among avian species, especially chickens. According to The Business Journal, authorities must be notified regarding any sign of disease and must give the order to carry out further action. Unfortunately, the only way that farms are able to control the spread of the disease is to remove infected chickens, usually through mass slaughter. Organizations such as the USDA provide monetary compensation to farms for their troubles. As a result, chickens have drastically declined in population, leading to a lower number of eggs as well as chicken meat that can be sold to the public. This inevitably leads to a rise in cost as the demand for chicken and eggs remains constant, while the supply continues to dwindle.
Substantial price increases have been a persistent annoyance for consumers in the past months. According to CBS News, eggs used to cost around $1.54, but as of 2024, they have increased 170% to $4.15. In the worst cases, some grocery stores have marked up egg prices by $10 or more. Many restaurants have increased their prices of dishes consisting of eggs or chicken to offset the costs, revealing that the issue isn’t strictly bound to retailers such as Whole Foods, Target, or Walmart. Additionally, CBS News has also interviewed agricultural economics professor David Anderson of Texas A&M University. He notes that along with the increase in prices for these products, the general public has adopted a diet higher in protein. This growing desire for protein, coupled with the shortage of what was once a readily available resource, has further exacerbated many individuals’ frustrations.
The only sure-fire way for egg and chicken prices to return to normal is through containment and proper intervention. Fortunately, methods of mitigation have arisen. According to the USDA, “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced a $1 billion-dollar comprehensive strategy to curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices.” The plan consists of five main factors: implementation of higher biosecurity measures to prevent contamination from foreign bird species, free health testing and biosecurity audits for affected farms, inclusion of 20 epidemiologists that will monitor poultry farms to offer consultation towards farmers so they can reduce the spread of the virus, and monetary investments up to $500 million.
The USDA will continue to work with the government in order to curb the spread of the virus, but consumers can expect egg and chicken prices to remain inflated for the foreseeable future until the HN51 Bird Flu can be contained. Until then, both farmers and consumers must adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by this outbreak.
