U.S. egg production is trending downward.
A recent production report shows a 2% drop this July compared to the same time last year with totals reaching over 9 billion eggs.
The reason behind the drop is high path avian flu. Birds culled due to the disease have impacted egg-laying hen numbers with numbers declining by approximately 8 million birds. That drop is now impacting egg prices in a big way, according to a USDA livestock analyst.
“What we have seen is wholesale prices that were about $2.57 in July for the New York egg price that we track going up to about $4.14 yesterday,” Shayle Shagam explains.
The wholesale market saw a 60% price hike in just a months time; however, when you compare that number to a year ago prices, whole eggs are selling at 236% more.
Shagam expects to see the size of the laying flock increase next year, increasing production and lowering egg prices for consumers.
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