According to the USDA weekly report on the national egg market, prices are up and production is declining.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases a weekly overview of the state of the nation's egg production. For the week preceding the April 22 report, the national average promotional price for large eggs was $2.74 per dozen. Supply is forecasted to increase now that the Easter holiday is over, and prices may start to decrease as demand lessens around the country.
An outbreak of avian flu is currently affecting approximately 10% of the U.S. egg-producing hens and farmers are having to dispose of the infected birds. Consumers cannot contract the disease by eating eggs or consuming chicken meat, but it can spread easily among flocks.
Read more about the role of avian flu in the current egg market.
Photo by Sarina Petrocelly
Overall, the national inventory of large eggs has decreased by about 12%, so you may discover that shelled eggs are harder to find. Good alternatives include pasteurized egg white cartons and cooked egg products. Bakers know that applesauce, mayo, and even mashed bananas make great egg substitutes in some of your favorite cakes and cookies. Don't forget your local small farms and markets!
Egg prices are higher right now because it is a particularly bad year for Avian Flu… it has nothing to do with inflation.
— RealHousewifeOfMichigan (@RealHousewifeMi) April 16, 2022
Flocks across the United States are all being affected including commercial operations.
Makes me thankful for the small backyard flock we have 🐓 pic.twitter.com/73OEBiVCJv
For more information about this ongoing situation with U.S. egg production, check out the official USDA report. While eggs might not be the next toilet paper in terms of panic buying, this is an issue certainly worth following.
Have you noticed a big increase in the price of eggs near you, or are they increasingly hard to find? Sound off in the comments!
