Shoppers Turn to Higher-End Eggs as Bird Flu Disrupts Supplies
Shoppers used to picking up the cheapest eggs at the grocery store may now be reaching for higher-end cartons. That’s because bird flu is turbocharging prices of commercially produced eggs, while farmers of pasture-raised hens — who say their practices make for more humane, sustainable, and tasty eggs — have largely held their premium prices steady. Grocery shoppers may be noticing the price gap narrow or even invert, in some cases making specialty eggs cheaper than conventional ones.
Price Gap Narrows
Nationwide, a dozen eggs sold for $4.95 on average in January, up from $2.52 a year earlier, as avian influenza has wiped out poultry flocks and slammed into domestic egg supplies. Through it all, specialty egg distributor Pete & Gerry’s says its dozen-egg cartons have been retailing for about $6.99 over the past 18 to 24 months.
Stable Prices for Specialty Eggs
"Our prices are extremely stable, which means our retail partners are offering a really, really stable price to consumers," said Cameron Whitehead, chief operating officer at the New Hampshire-based company that sells eggs from nearly 300 family farms across New England, the Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic.
Egg Production Methods
Egg cartons come with lots of labels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture designates "cage-free" and "free-range" practices as those allowing hens to roam around to some extent indoors, and gain at least limited access to an outdoor enclosure, respectively. "Pasture-raised" eggs, which aren’t federally regulated, generally means the chickens can leave the barn and venture out to graze and scratch. The "organic" label can apply to any of these and also refers to what the chickens were fed.
Bird Flu Impact
Egg prices have nearly doubled since January 2024 due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. Hens that have room to scamper aren’t any more resistant to bird flu than those that don’t. But farming practices can make a difference in how the illness spreads, experts say, even if there are some trade-offs.
Conventional vs. Specialty Eggs
The source of the virus is in the wild birds, so pasture-raised birds would have an increased risk of exposure, said Andrew Bowman, a professor of veterinary medicine at Ohio State University who studies animal influenza. Fully confined egg farms use netting to keep out wild birds, he said, but if the virus does enter those facilities, it can spread like wildfire among chickens kept in cramped quarters.
Impact on Small and Organic Operations
Larger operations also tend to require staff and equipment that are shared with other facilities, elevating the risk of spread between farms. But no matter the setup, USDA guidelines require the entire flock to be killed if bird flu is detected even once. The disease has affected large and small egg producers alike, but smaller and organic operators say their prices aren’t as influenced by supply and demand swings compared with the commercial market.
Conclusion
As the bird flu continues to disrupt the egg supply, shoppers may find themselves turning to higher-end cartons. While the price gap between conventional and specialty eggs may narrow, many consumers are willing to pay a premium for what they see as more humane, sustainable, and tasty eggs. As the demand for specialty eggs grows, small and organic operations may find themselves at an advantage, offering a more stable and potentially more sustainable option for consumers.
FAQs
Q: How has the bird flu outbreak affected the egg industry?
A: The bird flu outbreak has led to a significant increase in egg prices, with a dozen eggs now selling for an average of $4.95 compared to $2.52 a year earlier.
Q: What is the difference between cage-free, free-range, and pasture-raised eggs?
A: Cage-free and free-range eggs allow hens to roam around to some extent indoors and gain limited access to an outdoor enclosure, respectively. Pasture-raised eggs mean the chickens can leave the barn and venture out to graze and scratch.
Q: Why are small and organic egg operations less affected by supply and demand swings?
A: Small and organic operations tend to have more stable prices due to their smaller scale and more predictable input costs, such as feed and labor.
Q: Can the bird flu be contained?
A: The bird flu has been a global issue, and containment efforts have been ongoing. However, the virus continues to spread, and the egg industry remains affected.
