In the United States, the price of the eggs recorded an impressive surge, putting consumers in difficulty and influencing different economic sectors. The average cost of A dozen eggs has in fact reached the historical maximum of 7.86 dollarsmarking an increase of 33.23% from the beginning of the year. A drastic change if we consider that in 2020 the price was only 1.50 dollars!
Then there are some states where the problem is particularly felt. In California, for example, where more severe regulations on outdoor farms apply, the cost of eggs has reached record figures. A 12 cardboard can cost $ 13.49.
The causes of the increase in prices
The main reason behind these increases is theavian influencean epidemic that hit the US poultry industry with devastating consequences. Since 2022, over 100 million chickens, turkeys and ovary hens have died or have been demolished to contain the spread of the virus. This drastic decrease in the poultry population has led to a reduction in egg production, increasing demand and, consequently, prices.
In addition to avian influence, general inflation and production costs have also contributed to the crisis. The cost of feed, energy and logistics has grown over time, pushing breeders to review prices to maintain the economic sustainability of their activities.
The consequences of the egg emergency in the USA
The disproportionate increase in the cost of eggs has had immediate repercussions on various sectors. The restaurants, which use them as a basic ingredient for numerous dishes, have started to apply supplements on the menus or to reduce portions, and also the food industry is facing difficulties, with an increase in the cost of baking and egg pasta products.
In supermarkets, some chains such as Trader Joe’s, Costco and Sprouts have imposed limits on the quantity of eggs that can be purchased by customer.
The increase in the value of the eggs also led to episodes of crime. In Pennsylvania, 100,000 eggs were stolen by a trailer of a truck, a theft that shows how precious this food has become. In other states, attempts to contrabide eggs from Mexico have been recorded, where prices remain lower than the United States.
Experts provide that the situation could stabilize in the coming months, but much will depend on the progress of the avian influence and the ability of breeders to reconstitute the number of ovary hens. In the meantime, interest in alternatives to traditional eggs is growing, such as plant -based substitutes.
Are we risking the same situation in Italy?
In Italy, even if the emergency has not reached the same proportions of the United States, avian influence still had an impact on the poultry industry, leading to an increase in egg prices, even if to a lesser extent.
The main causes of the increase in prices (and not only eggs) are linked to global factors, such as the increase in production costs and the slowdown of production in some countries. However, the price of eggs in Italy has not seen an explosive growth as in the United States, even if it remains a theme to be monitored carefully.
