Retail egg prices are on the rise again after a prolonged period of decline, signaling potential challenges ahead for consumers and producers alike.
Last January, egg prices hit a peak of around $4.80 per dozen, driven largely by the widespread impact of High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) on poultry flocks across the nation. The resulting shortage in egg production sent prices skyrocketing.
However, recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals that prices have surged by more than 8% in the past month alone, now averaging $2.92 per dozen compared to $2.28 in February of the previous year.
The current increase in prices can be attributed, in part, to a slightly smaller domestic egg-laying flock, a consequence of the ongoing challenges posed by HPAI. Despite a significant decline in reported cases, the threat of the virus still looms over the poultry industry.
The USDA’s latest report highlights a recent outbreak in South Dakota, where over 31,000 turkeys had to be culled due to the virus. A subsequent case in Oregon affected just ten birds at a single facility.
UT Extension also offers tips to help consumers stretch their grocery budgets, including meal planning, sticking to a shopping list, and choosing store or generic brands.
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Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
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President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing SNAP spending, tariff threats against Europe, market reactions, and the upcoming USMCA review.
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