What to Know: Egg Shortage Impacting Supply and Prices
Trader Joe’s Sets Limits on Egg Purchases
With egg shortages impacting supply to stores across the country, and sending prices skyrocketing, one store is setting limits on just how many cartons customers are allowed to buy. Trader Joe’s announced Friday that egg purchases would be limited to “one dozen per customer, per day.” The new policy would go into effect for all Trader Joe’s grocery stores throughout the country.
“We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s,” a statement read.
The Ongoing Avian Flu Outbreak
The ongoing avian flu outbreak has forced farmers to euthanize millions of egg-laying hens in an effort to stop the spread of the disease, leading to lower supply and higher prices. The average price for a dozen eggs is now more than $5. It has led to some restaurants and food sellers coming up with new policies to help offset some of their losses.
Waffle House, the popular 24-hour diner throughout the South, is now charging a special fee of 50 cents per egg. It comes as the National Restaurant Association says producer costs are up 134% year over year for eggs.
Other Businesses Getting Creative
In New York City, some food trucks have had to raise the price of the beloved breakfast staple of commuters — the egg sandwich — in order to make up for the higher cost of eggs. But restaurants aren’t the only ones getting creative to address the issue. A new idea has gained popularity in some parts of the country that eliminates needing to go to a store at all: renting the chicken.
What is Driving Up Prices?
The bird flu outbreak that started in 2022 is the main reason egg prices are up so much. Anytime the virus is found on a poultry farm, the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the virus’ spread. And with massive egg farms routinely housing more than 1 million chickens, just a few infections can cause a supply crunch.
The problem tends to linger because it takes months to dispose of all the carcasses, disinfect barns and bring in new birds. More than 145 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been slaughtered since the current outbreak began, with the vast majority of them being egg-laying chickens.
Why is the Virus So Hard to Control?
Bird flu is primarily spread by wild birds such as ducks and geese as they migrate. While it is fatal to a variety of animals, those species can generally carry it without getting sick, which offers the virus a chance to mutate and thrive. The virus can be spread through droppings or any interaction between farm-raised poultry and wild birds. It’s also easily tracked into a farm on someone’s boots or by vehicle.
Conclusion
The ongoing egg shortage and rising prices are causing difficulties for consumers and businesses alike. With egg prices expected to remain high in the coming months, it’s essential for consumers to be aware of the situation and make informed purchasing decisions. By understanding the causes of the shortage and the measures being taken to address it, consumers can better navigate the challenges posed by the egg shortage.
FAQs
* What is causing the egg shortage?
+ The ongoing avian flu outbreak is the main reason for the egg shortage.
* Why are egg prices rising?
+ Egg prices are rising due to the shortage of eggs caused by the avian flu outbreak.
* What is Trader Joe’s doing to address the shortage?
+ Trader Joe’s has set limits on egg purchases, allowing customers to buy only one dozen eggs per day.
* What other businesses are being affected by the shortage?
+ Restaurants and food sellers are also being affected by the shortage, with some raising prices or implementing new policies to offset losses.
