Egg prices on the rise: the effects of animal diseases

18 million tons, which is the weight of chicken eggs produced every year worldwide. Largely consumed for their protein intake, the egg is...

18 million tons, which is the weight of chicken eggs produced every year worldwide. Largely consumed for their protein intake, the egg is produced in sufficient quantities to meet the demand of all inhabitants of the planet and, very importantly, are available at a relatively cheap price compared to meat. However, their average cost has been rising lately, specifically in Europe and North America, where production costs have risen dramatically, and millions of laying hens have been infected with avian influenza since last October.

According to the European Commission, egg prices have soared by around 22% in Europe and by 44% in the USA, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), compared to last year.

• Increased costs throughout the supply chain and the current lessened availability of feed and grains directly affected this rise in prices.
• However, avian influenza, or bird flu, has also played an undeniable part in this phenomenon in those regions, according to Ben Dellaert, from the International Egg Commission (IEC).

Bird flu is a severe viral disease that mainly affects poultry and wild birds, often causing death among flocks and leading to devastating socioeconomic impacts. Since October