Egg prices have surged due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has decimated flocks, and increasing consumer demand. Nearly 40 million egg-laying hens were lost to the H5N1 virus in 2022, leading to record-high prices during peak holiday demand and creating a bottleneck in replenishing flocks. New cage-free egg laws in states like Colorado and Michigan may push prices even higher, with experts predicting continued increases through 2025. Poultry prices, however, remain relatively stable as broiler chickens are less affected by the flu and are quickly replaced. Despite concerns over avian flu, health officials assure that eggs and poultry are safe to consume when properly stored and cooked, and risks to human health remain low. Continue here.
