Egg prices on the rise as bird flu, Easter and inflation cause perfect storm

Easter, inflation and an outbreak of bird flu are contributing to rising egg prices nationwide.

According to a Tuesday report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eggs prices are higher than they were this time last year. The Consumer Price Index also found that eggs were 11.2 percent higher last month compared to prices in March of 2021.

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Increased demand due to upcoming holidays usually results in higher egg prices this time of year, USA Today reports. Inflation and supply chain issues have also contributed to higher prices across many items, but the outbreak of a bird flu virus, H5N1 avian influenza A, has brought new challenges.

‘Ohio’s poultry farmers are … taking the situation very seriously’

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the virus has now spread to wild birds and commercial and backyard poultry in 26 states.

“Ohio’s poultry farmers are very concerned and taking the situation very seriously,” explained Jim Chakeres, executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association.

Farmers have increased biosecurity measures in response, Chakeres said, to ward off potential exposure.

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So far, the USDA has only recorded one case of the flu in Ohio, which affected a small backyard flock in Franklin County last month. However, because eggs are traded across state lines, bird flu cases in nearby states impact egg prices in Cincinnati.

“Pricing is over the whole Midwest, not just one state,” Chakeres said. “We were already seeing higher prices because of the normal issues that all farms are experiencing today – supply chain issues, lack of packaging, the labor market. The challenge now is that it’s a supply and demand market, so if more birds become infected, that decreases the potential supply and that affects the pricing structure.”

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Egg prices, which are already on the rise due to Easter, are expected to continue to increase as an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza A spreads across the country.

Cincinnati Zoo taking precautions against bird flu virus

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has also responded to the virus by moving some birds indoors.

According to Michelle Curley, the zoo’s director of communication, more safety measures will be taken if the outbreak moves closer to Cincinnati.

“We have moved a few birds inside, including the trumpeter swans and vultures, and have a task force keeping a close eye on the situation,” Curley said by email. “The closest case of avian flu to date was 110 miles away. If there’s a confirmed case within 100 miles, we will take more precautions.”

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It’s important to note that bird flu viruses do not typically pose a threat to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“If anyone has any concerns, just thoroughly cook your poultry and egg products as you normally would and everything will be fine,” Chakeres said. “People hear ‘influenza’ and assume the worst, but in the U.S. especially it’s limited to the birds, so we don’t have to worry about that problem.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Egg prices soar due to bird flu, Easter, Passover and inflation