An outbreak of avian flu has drastically impact egg production across the United States, with empty shelves reported in numerous stores along with price increases for the everyday cooking staple.
Why It Matters
The spread of the highly contagious avian influenza has severely impacted the egg production industry. In the last quarter of 2024, some 20 million egg-laying hens died due to the virus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported.
The outbreak is being felt in homes, grocery stores, and farms across the country—and also demonstrates how vulnerable the U.S. food supply chain can be.
What To Know
As the laws of supply and demand dictate, a lack of egg-laying hens naturally means fewer eggs, which in turn creates shortages and pushes up prices. At the end of December, the average price for a dozen eggs reached $4.33, reflecting an increase of nearly 25 percent since early November, according to Nielsen IQ data from the American Egg Board.
When Will the US Egg Crisis End?
