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jaweit t1_j52jenx wrote

25% inflation, 75% bird flu causing an egg shortage in North America.

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tacoloco2323 t1_j52t1k5 wrote

This is not the case. Bird flu did have an impact on the amount of eggs available. The largest egg producer in the US posted an increase in profits of 68%. Its an increase of profits, not inflation. It’s corporate greed using the mask of the bird flu.

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Miriam_W t1_j541g0t wrote

No. There is a serious avian flu and they have to destroy thousands if not millions of chickens and it's not easy burying them. Check with the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm

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eljefino t1_j52xnrd wrote

Well if there's a shortage then yes the profits will be higher. Basic economics. I anticipate these egg farmers are trying like hell to get more chickens of laying age up and running while prices are still high.

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Fluffheady t1_j53buyn wrote

How does this make any sense? You can't just say "basic economics" and walk away.

There is a shortage. If prices increase to a "reasonable" level, profits remain the same even if prices increase. There are less eggs to be sold, so you increase prices to compensate for lower overall sales / lower supply. If you increase profits beyond a pre-shortage level, that means you are jacking up prices well beyond what they would actually need to be to "weather the storm" of bird flu.

It's because of corporate greed and oligopolistic practices.

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tacoloco2323 t1_j53fnuv wrote

Thank Fluffyheady, your exactly right. The increase in price due to the shortage was factually measured to equal less than a 25 cent increase not more than double.

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IBOstro t1_j52jypn wrote

Well that scans. Thanks I was definitely out of the loop.

Hannaford today felt like March 2020 with everyone freaking out about the impending storm.

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alligator124 t1_j53keef wrote

Holy shit I went for a regular grocery run this evening, wasn't even thinking of the storm. It was like the zombie apocalypse in there. I was not prepared.

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DidDunMegasploded t1_j52zlkr wrote

TBF...we're getting two storms in near-rapid succession, and the southern part of Maine specifically is getting the short end of the stick for both, so I can kinda understand the freakout.

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Soccermom233 t1_j53e0ft wrote

Yeah I picked the wrong day to think it was a boring Thursday

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undertow521 t1_j54sanf wrote

I was too so I had to Google it last week. Guess thats the downside of not watching the news!

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respaaaaaj t1_j52t061 wrote

It's not even 25% inflation, last I saw something like 53 million hens have died or been culled, the last time we had a outbreak like this it was more like 50 million by the time it was under control which it isn't yet.

I looked again and it's up to 58 million

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badhmorrigan t1_j53x6jz wrote

Tens of millions dead chickens. Chicken has been a cheap and filling protein, not anymore.

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Mainah68 t1_j56sk8l wrote

I believe there have been some pretty big fires too. Additionally, the price of grain has gone way up.

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ppitm t1_j551oxt wrote

We don't eat egg chickens

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badhmorrigan t1_j55e9yo wrote

It's not like layers are the only chickens who are affected by the avian flu.

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ppitm t1_j55eswn wrote

But chicken meat prices have actually declined since September

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Ancient-Access8131 t1_j57izk3 wrote

Thats because it takes about 20 weeks for chicks to be raised into hens to start laying eggs, while it only takes 5-8 weeks for chicks to get old enough to be slaughtered.

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ppitm t1_j57t2je wrote

No, meat chickens are a totally different species from laying chickens. About as different as chihuahuas and dobermans. They're mutants, really. Congenitally obese and die of heart attacks if you don't eat them.

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Ancient-Access8131 t1_j57tgyg wrote

They arent different species, but different breeds. Same with dogs, all domesticated dogs are the same species. But my point was mainly that laying hens take much longer to raise than, meat chickens.

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MaineviaIllinois t1_j52vjt7 wrote

Well let’s be real here- 25% inflation- 75% profit taking using bird flu and inflation as cover. The bird flu doesn’t increase the cost of production since they are insured against losses.

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doobie042 t1_j54opvc wrote

Places do not have insurance for that kind of loss. Nor the loss of income from losing their entire flock and having to start all over from scratch. It costs quite a bit to get millions of chickens and wait the 4-6 months before they start laying.

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MaineviaIllinois t1_j54wptr wrote

I must have missed the part where eggs were anywhere near this price when we culled about 87% of the birds we have so far during prior outbreaks. Any reason they didn’t escalate nearly to the level?

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doobie042 t1_j54yahs wrote

Diesel prices are way higher than before. Transportation is a big cost. Feed prices are up from before. 15 years ago you could get a50lbs bag of feed for under $10. 2.5 years ago they were $15. Now they are 22.

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MaineviaIllinois t1_j55868a wrote

I just checked- chicken feed is still $13 a 40lb bag at Tractor Supply. Last I got was $24 for organic layer pellets which are now $27. In fact you can tell how little prices have actually gone up by checking out your local farm stand. Have they gone up? Sure- have they tripled? Not at all.

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Dbgb4 t1_j54uu90 wrote

Actually, it will increase the cost of production.

Say you make and sell widgets. The fixed costs of the mortgage, property taxes, electricity, fuel, and the like will not change if you produce 1000 widgets or 500.

Therefore, you have to raise prices to cover the fixed expense you pay per month and therefore the cost per each rises.

The bank and city governments are not cutting the chicken farmers a break because they have 25,000,000 less birds. They expect their bills to be paid each month.

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JDTexas84 t1_j52rfce wrote

Except it wasn’t even actually bird flu. Farmers were instructed to cull their bird flocks on the fear that bird flu might spread. It’s a manufactured inflation

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respaaaaaj t1_j52teag wrote

There are not only dead chickens from this, but dead ducks and Montana just found grizzly bears that have it, this is a public health thing not an economic thing

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runner64 t1_j52wqdt wrote

Also one twitter-famous emu.

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respaaaaaj t1_j52x1sw wrote

Yeah this one is spreading almost entirely by wild birds instead of flock to flock so there's a real risk of it jumping all over the place

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diaryofsnow t1_j52xsgh wrote

the one that sells car insurance?

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IBOstro t1_j53058r wrote

Ah yes the LiMu emu. I will never buy insurance from them specifically because of their advertising.

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wiggywithit t1_j52zqad wrote

The flu, yes that flu, the one that killed 300 million people in early 20th century was a bird flu that mutated and spread to humans.

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OriginalGordol t1_j52q5rg wrote

The specialty small-farm eggs are actually cheaper than the mass-market ones these days.

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metalandmeeples t1_j52u8eu wrote

At this point local eggs are cheaper and are typically $5/dozen in the Freeport area. Go support a local farm!

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OC2k16 t1_j53brpk wrote

Maybe try looking local. My mother has 8 hens and they are laying a bunch of eggs. She has to give a bunch away, obv we take a bunch when we visit.

But I see signs all the time people selling eggs. They taste way better, look way better too.

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IBOstro t1_j53cngn wrote

A quick google search and I found a local farmer advertising and you’re right - this is honestly the way to go - support local farmers and get better quality food

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TwoforFlinching613 t1_j52ozru wrote

Bought eggs at Whole Foods (in Massachusetts) on Monday, and they were $3.49 for a dozen, which is about average for them.

How are usually less expensive grocery stores, ripping people off?

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AssumptionLivid6879 t1_j552c0d wrote

The only really places impacted by bird flu are Egg Mills where you shouldn’t be buying eggs anyway. Most local, small and medium sized farm-groups were not impacted nearly as much.

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RealMainer t1_j561zur wrote

Despite that, most of them have been more than happy to raise their prices regardless.

Last time I bought eggs at Whole Foods there wasn't a single carton for less than $7, and that was before the recent price increase.

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AssumptionLivid6879 t1_j5b00fs wrote

Been buying my eggs for decades from a neighbor, has always been $3 and still is $3 a dozen.

A year ago I could have gotten Hannafart’s for $1.79, 10 years ago I could have gotten Hannafart’s for $0.78, but I chose to buy local.

If you didn’t support local food when they needed customers most (when Walmart and Amazon were growing market share) then don’t expect to find a local deal now. Now to guzzle the lowest price for that long there are no competitors, so enjoy Shitland’s Best “eggs”

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marrymejojo t1_j52oead wrote

Market basket has Pete and Garry's dozen for like 3.50. They are medium eggs but I don't really notice the Size difference

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lava_monkey83 t1_j530bd9 wrote

Bird flu and corporate greed. Whole Foods still under $4 for a dozen non organic eggs.

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oldncrusty68 t1_j52jb96 wrote

Buckle up it’s going to be a rough ride

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oldncrusty68 t1_j52jh7n wrote

Seriously though look on the side of the road where local sell eggs. It’s much cheaper and better quality

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jaweit t1_j52k8sq wrote

^^^ this for sure. Support your local crazy chicken folks (I mean that in the most sincerest way, as I too am a crazy chicken lady).

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IBOstro t1_j52ovsb wrote

Was considering getting some this spring

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josh_was_there t1_j52pxcv wrote

Just remember you have to feed those birds and feed prices keep going up.

Sauce: I’m a crazy bird dude.

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maine_soxfan t1_j52mm9o wrote

Millions of hens dead from bird flu

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Septicrogue t1_j52mg3i wrote

Hannaford feels overpriced to begin with but yeah the egg prices are insane

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anisleateher t1_j53ibcw wrote

I have my own flock but I saw yesterday that market basket has one of the brands at 2.99 a dozen. Everything else was at least 5.50-6.50

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0necellintheseaa t1_j52zqs0 wrote

Also, chicken seems oddly inexpensive at times too…

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IBOstro t1_j52zvj5 wrote

I assume it’s all the chickens that died of bird flu

0

pkafan4lyfe t1_j52zwly wrote

The inventory of egg laying birds is expected to recover next financial quarter, they need to breed new chickens

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trunksshinohara t1_j531kki wrote

Corporate greed. That's why everything is going up. Record breaking profits while min wage is 7.25. Come on this is obvious.

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AssumptionLivid6879 t1_j5520pz wrote

Just an FYI that your neighbors selling eggs locally have had the same prices for the last 3 years, it might be a good time to consider going local for your eggs.

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DisciplineFull9791 t1_j55h5n6 wrote

It will be temporary, the market always rights itself when supply and demand come into play. Yes it's culling from avian flu and yes it's farmers taking advantage of the opportunity to increase profits. But generally farmers aren't making high profit on commodity foods unless you're talking big agra, and we should all be supporting the smaller ones that give a reasonable life to animals. As far as I'm concerned I'm willing to pay the small farmers I support a few extra dollars until supply increases for a dozen eggs (likely later this year). After keeping a coop myself while paying high prices for organic feed, breaking my back cleaning bird crap and watching the local fox, owl and hawk population regularly 'cull' my flock I'm very happy to pay a bit more for awhile. If you're lucky enough to have a neighbor selling eggs good on ya!

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ZingZongZaddy t1_j55u4mt wrote

If you think 50 cents per egg is bad wait until you hear what people are paying for coffee.

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PuzzleheadedMine2168 t1_j579tjm wrote

If you do shaws rewards you can redeem points for free eggs...

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yupuhoh t1_j52mzm1 wrote

Ever see the news? Or even a glimpse of any of the headlines in the last 2 months?

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Norgyort t1_j52rg4r wrote

Big egg sticking it to the poor man again.

But seriously there is a supply issue caused by bird flu creating a shortage. Prices are going up to reduce demand.

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Mithryl_Ivy t1_j52xu07 wrote

The problem is they raise prices when there’s a problem. However, we all know once the problem is resolved prices never go back down to where they were.

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fvnnybvnny t1_j52ugtf wrote

Corporate profits from exploiting supply chain myths to raise prices

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InfamousCelery4438 t1_j54qa3s wrote

If anyone is struggling with egg prices, check your local food pantry. They might have excess eggs they need to get rid of, due to the date. Older eggs make for better hard boiled eggs, that is, easier to peel.

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stacybettencourt t1_j556pfu wrote

Over 50,000,000 laying hens have died or been slaughtered because of Avian flu.

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Tribute2Johnny t1_j5bq9dg wrote

I had to jump into a High Fructose Corn Syrup Store (Save-A-Lot) for a quick item while on St John Street in Portland this week and noticed that their egg prices were DOUBLE that of Trader Joe's in town.

I was taken a back that the prices at the cheap food store were HUGE in comparison to other places that were high because of the bird flu with price gouging.

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ProfessionalAd1618 t1_j534jxc wrote

In whole foods also it is restricted to 2 packages to buy eggs. We can’t buy more than 2.

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Mannymarlo t1_j54lkrf wrote

Organic Tofu is still 3 a lb and Just Egg is a mung bean alternate that cooks quick and tastes great I haven’t eaten an egg in almost 5 years and our breakfasts are incredible

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Ok-Maintenance4360 t1_j52o3yr wrote

“Egg” industry , aka farmers not cashing in on pandemic. Very seldom will the farmers get dealt a win by luck or not

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investagadget207 t1_j52k88m wrote

Idk I get free eggs.

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doobie042 t1_j54ow79 wrote

Free? How do you feed them in the winter or house them? Who gave you the hens originally for free? You have a cost.

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injulen t1_j54rh8m wrote

Or they know someone who raises chickens and gifts them eggs. I get eggs from my sister all the time for free and hardly buy them.

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yesplease6979 t1_j52jdkj wrote

It is often referred to as inflation.

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