Americans have increased their egg consumption in recent years. This has been the reason why there is a significant rise in egg costs which is causing dents in household budgets. According to the Department of Agriculture’s data, Americans have reduced their intake of beef and venison.
Americans have increased their egg consumption in recent years. This has been the reason why there is a significant rise in egg costs which is causing dents in household budgets. (Photo: KXLF)
Reasons for the Egg Price Increase?
The main reason why egg consumption grew significantly is that more families are eating them as their main protein substitute. Los Angeles Times reporter Sonja Sharp expressed that each of us eats about as many eggs as one hen can lay a year.
While there is a high demand for eggs, production has slumped due to an ongoing bird (avian) flu epidemic. As of January 6, the USDA announced that nearly 58 million birds have been infected with avian flu making it the deadliest outbreak in U.S. history. This resulted in the slaughtering of infected birds causing egg supplies to fall and prices to surge.
Currently, there are 47 states impacted by the outbreak making families and restaurants purchase eggs at elevated prices.
Americans have increased their egg consumption in recent years. This has been the reason why there is a significant rise in egg costs which is causing dents in household budgets. (Photo: Yahoo Finance)
Avian Flu: The Reason for Elevated Egg Prices
Free-flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and shorebirds are the main carriers of the avian flu. This is the main cause which chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl. The epidemic already killed more than 50 million chickens and turkeys in 2014 and 2015.
As stated in a published post by CBS News, this caused economic losses of $3.3 billion as estimated by the USDA. A potential vaccine against the bird flu is currently underway and being prepared by the agency for mass release.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is fortunate that the public health risk related to bird flu remains low. As a general safety rule, cooking all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is highly advised.
