Egg Shortages and Rising Prices: The Impact of Bird Flu and Trade Tensions
A couple of weeks ago, Trader Joe’s on Chicago Avenue had empty egg shelves and no eggs for sale.
Similarly, the USDA reported that some stores had to limit egg purchases due to shortages.
At Valli Produce, refrigerated coolers had eggs, but also empty spaces on the shelves earlier this week.
By Thursday morning, Jewel-Osco in Wilmette had eggs available, but the price was $7.99 per dozen.
A shopper at Jewel-Osco warned that prices wouldn’t drop, saying, “They’re not going to get any cheaper.”
High egg prices are not sitting well with consumers, with store managers citing bird flu for the shortages and high prices.
According to the USDA’s Egg Markets Overview, bird flu has led to record-high egg prices, which rose by 3.4% in late 2022.
The Federal Reserve Bank tracks the average cost of eggs, which was $4.15 per dozen in December. In Evanston, prices are much higher, ranging from $6 to $12 per dozen.
Prices are expected to rise further, as millions of birds have died or been culled due to bird flu, reducing egg supply.
In January, nearly 23 million birds were affected, which means fewer eggs from smaller flocks.
The egg shortage is driving up demand, just like the early days of the COVID pandemic when people hoarded necessities.
This shortage has led some to ask, “Are eggs the new toilet paper?” as prices continue to soar.
Tariffs and Their Impact on Egg Prices
In the past few days, North America faced potential trade tensions, which could impact the economy and inflation.
The Trump administration introduced tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, raising costs for consumers.
The Canadian government announced 25% tariffs on U.S. eggs, effective Feb. 4, which could further raise prices.
However, on Feb. 3, Mexico and Canada reached agreements with the U.S., delaying tariffs for 30 days.
The long-term impact on egg prices due to these international tensions is still uncertain. It’s clear, though, that the egg market is facing many challenges.
Consumers and industry experts alike are wondering, “What the cluck is going on?” as prices continue to rise and supply remains uncertain.
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