Egg Shortage Leads to Empty Shelves in Several US States
A Nationwide Issue
Shoppers may notice something missing from shelves at grocery stores ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday this week. A nationwide egg shortage is reportedly leading to empty shelves at many grocery stores across the U.S., including some in the Chicago area.
Reports of Empty Shelves
Reports of empty shelves have surfaced in Denver, Miami, and New York as recently as this weekend, NBC News reported. In some cases, signs asked shoppers to limit their egg purchases due to “difficulty sourcing.”
The Chicago Area
Eggless shelves were also reported at some stores in the Chicago area, though the shortages don’t appear to be widespread.
The Reason Behind the Shortage
The main reason behind the shortage, according to experts, is bird flu. H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely in the U.S. among wild birds, poultry, and a number of other animals over the last few years.
The Spread of the Disease
The most recent outbreaks have been reported in Utah, Washington, and Oregon.
Experts Weigh In
“Bird flu is by far the biggest impactor affecting egg prices right now,” Agricultural economist Bernt Nelson told NBC News. “In the last couple of months alone, we’ve seen about 10 million birds alone affected by the virus. And as we go on and the migration continues, we are always going to be watching to see what happens with avian influenza.”
Nelson noted that while there is still a “very strong supply of eggs in the supply chain,” the issues are leading to “isolated pockets” where eggs may not be readily available.
The Impact on Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that bird flu was behind slowed egg production, which is down 2.6% from 2023 so far.
And while supply may be down, egg prices are up. The average price of a dozen eggs this fall was up more than $1.30 from last year, though prices are still not the highest they’ve been in recent years.
“The thing about avian influenza is it’s in a constant state of change,” Nelson told NBC News. “As we see these changes in the uptick in the outbreaks, we ride the waves, you know, the ebb and flow of this virus.”
Conclusion
The egg shortage is a result of the widespread spread of the H5N1 bird flu, which is affecting egg production and leading to empty shelves in some areas. While the shortage is not widespread, it is having an impact on egg prices, which are up more than $1.30 from last year.
FAQs
* What is causing the egg shortage?
+ The main reason behind the shortage is the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which is affecting egg production.
* Is the shortage limited to certain areas?
+ No, the shortage has been reported in several states, including Denver, Miami, and New York, but it is not widespread.
* How is the shortage affecting egg prices?
+ The shortage is leading to higher egg prices, with the average price of a dozen eggs up more than $1.30 from last year.
