California egg costs attain $9 a dozen in some areas

The worth of a dozen eggs in California has reached almost $9 a dozen in some areas, as demand continues to rise amid an outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or fowl flu.

In its overview of egg markets final week, the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) stated the California benchmark for large-shell eggs rose $0.78 to $8.97 per dozen, because of of a discount in provide.

These costs will be seen when buying on-line eggs in supermarkets throughout the state.

For instance, Walmart in Chico, Calif., listed a carton of 18 giant, cage-free white eggs from Nice Worth on Tuesday night for $9.52, whereas a dozen eggs of the identical sort from Nice Worth had been listed at $7.22.

EGG PRICES ARE HIGHER AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 2025

Giant amount of cage-free eggs at CostCo retailer in Florida. (Picture by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Common Pictures Group through Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)

At Safeway in the identical metropolis, an 18-egg carton of Lucerne Farms Eggs cage-free giant white eggs was listed for $12.99, though a dozen weren’t listed on the market on the retailer’s web site .

Walmart and Safeway’s mum or dad firm, Albertsons, didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise’ request for touch upon egg costs.

“Demand for shell eggs noticed a slight uptick within the final two weeks of the 12 months, supported by issues over tight provides because of persistent outbreaks of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in flocks of laying hens,” the USDA wrote. “These herd losses, coming at a vital time for demand, have pushed wholesale costs past the report ranges set in December 2022, when PAH outbreaks had the same influence in the marketplace. »

The FDA additionally reported this week that egg production in the United States fell 4% in November as egg costs and circumstances of fowl flu proceed to rise throughout the nation.

HERE’S WHY GROCERY STORES ARE REALLY RAISING PRICES

Take a look at tubes labeled “Chicken Flu” and eggs are seen on this illustration. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Reuters Photographs)

Kevin Bergquist, business director on the Wells Fargo Agri-Meals Institute, stated egg costs have been excessive since 2023 because of a mixture of seasonal value will increase across the holidays and egg provide disruption because of fowl flu.

Over the previous 12 months, costs have “typically” remained above 2023 costs and have even “usually exceeded egg costs from 2022 onwards, when HPAI actually took over the egg market”, in keeping with Bergquist.

Wholesale egg costs, which jumped almost 55% in November, don’t essentially mirror desk eggs prices at the grocer, which may differ significantly.

FDA RAISES COSTCO EGG RECALL TO HIGHEST RISK LEVEL DUE TO SALMONELLA FEARS

Within the palms of a girl packing eggs within the grocery store (iStock/iStock)

Based on the Shopper Value Index, grocery costs rose 0.5% in November, as prices for 4 of the six main grocery meals teams elevated. Eggs confirmed the biggest improve, by far.

Costs for meat, poultry and fish rose 1.7% in November, however costs for eggs rose 8.2%.

Before the great avian flu epidemic by March 2022, flock numbers had been at a degree that supported declining egg costs, in keeping with Bergquist. He famous that the wholesale value was lower than $1.50 per dozen.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Nonetheless, the outbreak disrupted the market, resulting in a report rise in egg costs in December 2022. The common value was corrected to a decrease degree by 2023 as producers restocked their flocks.

Daniella Genovese of FOX Enterprise contributed to this report.