NEW YORK — Egg costs once more reached a document excessive in February, because the chicken flu continues to run rampant and Easter and Passover method.
The newest month-to-month Shopper Value Index confirmed a dozen Grade A eggs value a mean of $5.90 in U.S. cities in February, up 10.4% from a yr in the past. That eclipsed January’s record-high worth of $4.95.
Avian flu has pressured farmers to slaughter greater than 166 million birds, principally egg-laying chickens. Simply because the begin of the yr, greater than 30 million egg layers have been killed.
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If costs stay excessive, will probably be third yr in a row shoppers have confronted sticker shock forward of Easter on April 20 and Passover, which begins on the night of April 12, each events by which eggs play outstanding roles.
The value had persistently been beneath $2 a dozen for many years earlier than the illness struck. The U.S. Division of Agriculture expects egg costs to rise 41% this yr over final yr’s common of $3.17 per dozen.
However there could also be mild on the finish of the tunnel. The USDA reported final week that egg shortages are easing and wholesale costs are dropping, which could present aid on the retail facet earlier than this yr’s late Easter, which is three weeks later than final yr. It mentioned there had been no main chicken flu outbreak for 2 weeks.
“Consumers have begun to see shell egg choices within the dairycase turning into extra dependable though retail worth ranges have but to regulate and stay off-putting to many,” the USDA wrote within the March 7 report.
David Anderson, a professor and extension economist for livestock and meals advertising at Texas A&M College, mentioned wholesale figures dropping is an effective signal that costs might go down as customers react to the excessive costs by shopping for fewer eggs.
“What that ought to inform us is issues are easing slightly bit when it comes to costs,” he mentioned. “So going ahead, the subsequent CPI report might very properly point out falling egg costs.”
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Nevertheless, he would not anticipate lasting adjustments till chicken inventory will be replenished and manufacturing will be changed.
“File excessive costs is a market sign to producers to provide extra, however it takes time to have the ability to produce extra, and we simply haven’t had sufficient time for that to occur but,” he mentioned. “However I do suppose it’s going to occur. But it surely’s going to take some extra months to get there.”
Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, mentioned wholesale costs dropping is nice information, however famous that elevated demand for Easter might drive a short lived enhance in costs.
“As well as, egg farmers are intently watching spring migration of untamed birds, recognizing that wild birds are a number one reason behind the unfold of this virus and pose a fantastic and ongoing risk to egg-laying flocks,” she mentioned.
Advocacy teams and others have additionally known as for a probe into whether or not egg producers have used the avian flu to cost gouge. However egg producers say the avian flu is solely behind the elevated costs.
In the meantime, eating places have added surcharges and made different adjustments to offset the price of eggs.
The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to fight chicken flu, together with a $500 million funding to assist farmers bolster biosecurity measures, $400 million in further assist for farmers whose flocks have been impacted by avian flu, and $100 million to analysis and doubtlessly develop vaccines and therapeutics for U.S. rooster flocks, amongst different measures. However it should seemingly take some time for that plan to make an impression.
