Summary
Egg producers blame the bird flu outbreak for record-high prices, but critics argue dominant companies are exploiting supply shortages to boost profits.
With over 166 million birds culled and egg layers significantly reduced, prices surged from under $2 to nearly $5 per dozen.
But while egg supply is only down 4% from last year, profits have soared. Cal-Maine Foods, which supplies 20% of U.S. eggs, reported $219 million profit in its most recent quarter compared to just $1.2 million before the outbreak began.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for a government investigation into potential monopolistic practices.
My big question is that if a whole flock is killed when bird flu is discovered, why are JUST egg prices going up? My local grocery store recently had a sale on chicken but the eggs are in short supply and cost nearly 10 times what they used to a few months ago? Shouldn’t chicken meat be expensive too? Or do I not know anything about poultry farming and bird flu?
prices surged from under $2 to nearly $5 per dozen.
Where the fuck does this editor live? Cuz where I am, they went from $2 to $12.
100% they are.
I don’t know truth as I one saw YouTube Videos of grocery stores
Egg prices for a dozen… in Canada are around $4.75 (Canadian) In Mexico $53-$70 pesos… or around $2.50-$3.50 US
Edit: after quick search looks like Mexico avoided bird flu because they vaccinate their chickens… didn’t realize we are that strong against vaccination we won’t even vax the chix
I live in Alaska, and if nobody was talking about the eggs thing I wouldn’t have had more of a thought about it than “huh, eggs are a little expensive right now. Or are they? Have they always been this expensive?”
For reference, eggs here are $10-$11 a dozen. And for extra reference, a regular sized container of strawberries fluctuates between $5 and $12, and a carton of ice cream (e.g. Dreyer’s) is generally around $12 if it’s not on sale.
The thing is, around here people just… shift what they buy mostly. Strawberries are expensive? Time to buy apples. Ice cream is expensive? Wait to buy until it’s on sale, then buy 8. Bread is only $4.50 a loaf? HOLY SHIT, FILL HALF THE FREEZER.
I’m not trying to minimize the issue. There are lots of people who specifically need eggs (e.g. bakers), but for the most part, I feel like this is some weird hyper-fixation. This feels like toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic.
To egg distributors: sell more 6-packs. Outside of baking, I just don’t think normal people need that many eggs.
Some people have been having one or three eggs every day for the past 60 years. For me, I just stopped eating eggs, for these people it’s harder. It’s dumb but what isn’t?
Are capitalists being capitalist? More on that at 10.
Eggs are really hard to steal. Not impossible, just difficult.
Of course not, Trump specifically banned that!
Why can’t I find half dozen eggs? I don’t each many eggs so a dozen would have a significant number wasted. They used to be self half dozen quantities?
You can’t eat 12 eggs in 4 weeks?
I might only want one omelet in a month but I’d force myself to have a 2nd I order to use up the eggs.
They last so much longer than the best before date.
Yes but not nearly long enough. I like occasional 2 egg omelette but not more than once a week.
They did last time.
Yeah people act like this hasn’t been going on for years at this point.
Are (insert here) inflating prices?
Answer is always yes.
Only exception is the Costco hot dog.
Nooo they wouldn’t fleece us at the first opportunity, not a chance /s
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for a government investigation into potential monopolistic practices.
lol. this government believes in free market and corporate profits. if found guilty of monopolistic practices the top execs will immediately be offered more tax breaks, handouts and/or high profile government positions
I BOUGHT my eggs from small local farmers but they have been charging market prices. I asked a few of them why. One said if he didn’t that people would swoop in and buy all his inventory and likely resell it. Another, who ALSO has not been affected by bird flu said it is an investment for IF he loses his flock. So now I don’t buy eggs and have not been to a breakfast diner in about a year. I have actually ceased from eating out completely and purchase my food mostly from local farms and cut out meat. My cholesterol, sugar and BP have all greatly improved. Who knew, less is more. I am still annoyed that local farmers are keeping up with the market. The local Amish sold “pun’kins” to Walmart at .50 a piece which Walmart then sold for up to $8. At the Amish stand, they were selling them for $8.
The possibility of losing their entire flock of chickens is a pretty reasonable concern right now.
What’s a “pun’kin”?
I’m guessing it’s a quantity of eggs, but Google isn’t helping.
A pumpkin.
I’m sure if you offered to buy an entire field of pumpkins they would work with you on the price. It’s sort of how trade works.
President Felon in in charge, they are totally going to rob consumers. No one will stop them. I don’t eat eggs so I am rooting for the prices to go up. Are they $20/a dozen yet?
Fuck do you think?
