(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – The U.S. egg industry grapples with ongoing bird flu outbreaks, fueling a notable 4% production drop in November 2024, as prices soared by 8.2%.
Escalations in price and production challenges have caused turmoil for producers and consumers alike. If these disruptions persist, the market chaos could extend well into 2025.
November egg production fell to 8.92 billion, cut short by rampant avian influenza affecting flock sizes across the U.S.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 7.68 billion were table eggs, while 1.24 billion were designated as hatching eggs. This sharp decline in production coincides with rising bird flu cases, causing a critical deficit in supply.
The exacerbation of production woes stems from a reduction in egg-laying hens, which numbered 376 million by November’s end, marking a 3% decrease from the previous year.
The bird flu epidemic continues to undermine efforts to recuperate flock numbers. Producers have faced this uphill battle since late 2023, and continued outbreaks have consistently kept these numbers low.
Kevin Bergquist of Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute and other analysts foresee no quick resolution. Facing consistent viral threats, producers struggle to restore full production capacity.
Bergquist observed that “Prices over the past year have ‘generally’ remained above 2023 prices and even ‘often exceeded egg prices from 2022, which was when HPAI really caught the egg market.’”
According to industry assessments, wholesale egg prices jumped nearly 55% in November, reflecting a supply-demand imbalance impacting consumers nationwide.
Yet, consumer prices demonstrate variability depending on regional availability and distribution efficiencies.
Egg price volatility has brought a harsh reality—a necessity in grocery shopping hit with an 8.2% price surge.
Moreover, the need for strategic responses and robust biosecurity measures highlights the agricultural sector’s vulnerability.
Flock stability allowed for lower egg prices before the bird flu outbreak began in March 2022.
The current hurdle has re-emerged, dictating market behaviors and consumer accessibility to basic necessities like eggs.
Continued challenges in rebuilding flocks thwart recovery and add strain to existing supply chains.
This instability presses store shelves as the consumer market anticipates ongoing shortages and cost issues well into the following year.
If industry leaders and policymakers do not take decisive actions promptly, the repercussions could be sustained if not exacerbated.
Efforts focus on limiting bird flu’s destructive impacts, a task that demands adaptive strategies to counter the pivotal threats faced.
US egg production drops as prices continue to rise along with bird flu cases https://t.co/48CA91MsfE
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) December 31, 2024
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