Avian Flu Outbreak Leads to Egg Price Surge and Consumer Stockpiling in U.S.

A resurgence of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in poultry facilities across the United States has caused a significant surge in egg prices and prompted consumers to stockpile eggs in April 2024. The highly contagious and lethal H5N1 virus has been detected in egg-laying chicken flocks in multiple states, leading to the deaths of millions of birds and a drop in egg production.

The outbreak has hit major egg producers hard, with Cal-Maine Foods, the largest fresh egg manufacturer in the U.S., reporting infections at a Texas plant that required the destruction of 1.6 million laying hens. In total, nearly 9 million chickens across Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Texas have been found to be infected with bird flu in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

As a result, egg prices have jumped considerably. As of April 24, 2024, a dozen large grade A eggs cost an average of $2.99, up nearly 16% from $2.52 in January. A dozen large eggs in the U.S. now cost $2.41 on average, a 10% increase year-to-date. The tightening egg supply has also caused wholesale prices to remain elevated, though they are down about 25% from a February peak.

Why this matters: The avian flu outbreak and subsequent egg price hikes are not only impacting consumers' wallets but also raising concerns about the potential economic implications if the virus continues to spread. The situation highlights the vulnerability of the poultry and egg industries to disease outbreaks and the ripple effects on food prices and availability.

Experts caution that if the outbreak is not quickly contained, it could strain the egg market further and potentially affect other industries like the beef market. "It will take time to boost egg supplies as farmers hatch and raise new hens, so production is unlikely to return to normal for at least three months," said a USDA spokesperson.

While the public health risk related to this strain of bird flu remains low, the virus has shown an ability to infect a wider range of animal species, including wild birds, domestic poultry, and even mammals like dairy cows. In a concerning development, a dairy worker in Texas tested positive for avian influenza in early April, marking the first known case of a human contracting the virus from an infected cow in the United States.

The CDC and USDA are closely monitoring the situation and have emphasized the importance of proper precautions, such as avoiding unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals and thoroughly cooking poultry and eggs. "We are taking this situation seriously and are prepared to respond quickly to any potential human cases," said a CDC official. The agencies also noted that the

Key Takeaways

• Avian flu outbreak in US poultry leads to surge in egg prices.
• Millions of chickens infected, causing drop in egg production.
• Egg prices up 10-16% year-to-date, wholesale prices remain elevated.
• Outbreak raises concerns about economic impact if virus continues to spread.
• First known case of human contracting avian flu from infected cow in US.