We are in the midst of a current resurgence of High Pathogenic Avian Flu cases, and one of the latest outbreaks is taking out more than a million table egg layers in Iowa.
However, to put it into perspective, USDA data shows the impacts of HPAI this year are much less severe than last. 4.6 million birds have been culled this year, and in 2022, that number was almost 58 million. This has kept prices of poultry and eggs way down from what we saw last year, with eggs averaging $2 less a dozen than those record highs.
Experts are worried that the virus’ appearance this fall shows it learned how to survive the summer.
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To mark the end of National Chicken Month, we take a look at how the U.S. poultry industry is making a slow and steady recovery following the widespread outbreak of High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) in 2022 that devastated commercial flocks across the country.
Egg prices have been on a roller coaster this year, soaring sky-high and falling back down to Earth in just a few months.
In June, prices were down 77% compared to the highest weekly price in 2022.
According to the USDA Outlook Board, margins could improve for producers depending on a decrease in cases of High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI).
