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.
Egg supply is down only 4% from last year, yet profits have surged. Cal-Maine Foods, supplying 20% of U.S. eggs, reported a $219 million profit in the last quarter, compared to just $1.2 million before the outbreak, a 18,150% increase.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for a government investigation into potential monopolistic practices.
Haven’t bought eggs all year. Not over $4. Of course, for me, they’re just a nice treat…shoyu eggs make a great snack; egg baked on khachapuri; fried over rice. Some people, they’re a key protein, or essential to cakes & cookies. I figure, if the price is high, then leaving them on the shelf makes more available where they’re irreplaceable, but I can still feel bad for people who have to pay that price.
Who is forced to pay it? Eggs aren’t irreplacable
It’s important to remember that we can’t dictate or predict other people’s dietary restrictions. We can still feel empathy for people in a predicament due to prices
Dietary restriction? What disease mandates eating eggs?
Empathy for people for eating expensive eggs? Usually people want empathy for the animals because eating them is cruel.
One example I can think of is that it could be a safe food for someone with an eating disorder or sensory considerations.