As Easter approaches, many Americans are facing the reality of record-high egg prices, which have dashed hopes for affordable eggs during the holiday season. The average price for a dozen eggs in the United States reached $6.23 in March, marking a significant increase from previous months.
The bird flu outbreaks earlier this year were a major factor in the initial price spikes. More than 30 million egg-laying chickens were culled to prevent the spread of the disease, severely impacting egg supply. Although only 2.1 million birds were slaughtered in March, none of them were from egg farms. The farms affected by the fall outbreaks have been working to resume egg production, but the process is slow as chickens need to be about six months old before they start laying eggs.
President Donald Trump has tried to take credit for the recent drop in wholesale egg prices, claiming that his administration’s efforts to strengthen egg farmers’ defenses against bird flu will provide long-term benefits. However, experts argue that these measures have not yet translated into lower retail prices for consumers. The Consumer Price Index reported the increase in egg prices last Thursday, indicating that consumers and businesses relying on eggs might not see immediate relief.
The demand for eggs typically rises until after Easter, which falls on April 20 this year. Industry experts had expected retail egg prices to drop following the significant decline in wholesale prices in March. However, the wholesale prices did not start dropping until mid-March, leaving insufficient time for the average price for the month to decline. Additionally, grocery stores may not have immediately passed on the lower prices to consumers.
The impact of high egg prices is felt across various sectors, from households to businesses that rely heavily on eggs.Many families who traditionally dye eggs for Easter may find the activity more costly this year. The CEO of PAAS, a popular brand for egg dyeing kits, reported an all-time high demand for their products despite the price surge.
In conclusion, while there is hope that egg prices will eventually drop as wholesale prices continue to fall, the current record-high prices have dampened expectations for cheap eggs by Easter. Consumers will need to navigate these increased costs as they prepare for the holiday, hoping for relief in the near future.
