Egg prices soar as farmers battle inflation, avian flu
The demand for eggs remains high as consumers search for an affordable protein source.
However, avian flu outbreaks across the country have stunted the supply of eggs.
Egg farmers have also faced rising costs for fuel, labor, materials and feed for their hens.
“The last three years have been crazy,” said Trey Braswell, president of Braswell Family Farms in Nash County.
The fourth-generation egg farmer says the price of corn and soybean mean — which makes up 75% of the feed — has doubled.
“The price of eggs shot up [in 2020] because we couldn’t get enough eggs to the grocery store," Braswell said. "And then, there were enough eggs, but the feed was too expensive.”
The demand at the onset of the pandemic pushed prices from $1.04 per dozen in February 2020 to $2.92 per dozen in March 2020, according to Trading Economics. The current national average is $3.48 per dozen.
“The prices definitely have, in some cases, tripled but we have seen egg demand continue,” Braswell said. “The bulk of eggs are a commodity and they are sold on a fluctuating market that the farmers have no control over. It’s really based off supply and demand.
The avian flu has affected the recent supply and farmers being forced to euthanize their flocks.
Since Nov. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported eight bird flu outbreaks among commercial flocks in the country. The agency has not reported any commercial outbreaks in North Carolina since April.
Braswell Family Farms has implemented strict biosecurity protocols to reduce the risk of disease on the farm.
“If we were to get it in one house, we would have to take out every house on the farm,” Braswell said.
WRAL SmartShopper Faye Prosser has tracked the price of commodity eggs weekly since August.
The price has dropped 25 cents from $2.91 on Aug. 24 to $2.64 on Nov. 2.
“Prices are starting to come down,” Prosser said. “Generally speaking, in November and December because of all the baking that’s involved with eggs, the demand goes up."
The price of groceries is up 12.4% over November 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is higher than overall inflation which has risen 7.7% in the last year.
Braswell expects demand to stay strong through the holiday season because eggs remain a cheaper option than many meats, seafood and other proteins.
“Eggs are the most perfect, nutritious, high-quality [and] affordable protein.”
