(News Nation) – Avian flu outbreak has been sent Egg prices are rising sharplybut that doesn't mean that chicken nuggets are about to become more expensive.
That's because the chickens raised for meat known as “broilers” are not as hard hit as hens that dip in eggs, and there is little overlap between the two.
“These are really two different paths and two different industries,” he said. David AndersonProfessor and Extended Economist at Texas A&M University.
Americans are sure to notice the difference in grocery stores.
Egg prices have risen by more than 15% in January alone, up 53% from last year. Latest Labor Sector Data. On the other hand, the price of chicken was barely incurred, and it was under 1% for a year ago.
Here's why egg-soaked chickens have been more affected and where prices go from here:
Why doesn't chicken prices skyrocket?
“The simple answer is that it's a game of numbers,” said Tom Super at the National Chicken Council, representing the country's chicken producers.
Of the more than 147 million birds affected by the outbreak over the past three years, less than 9% of the approximately 13 million broilers were broilers. According to the data From the USDA (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Testing Services.
As Americans eat billions of chickens a year, supermarkets said these 13 million broiler chickens make up just .0005% of broiler production.
In other words, chicken prices remain stable as broiler producers have made it easier to keep up with demand.
Egg-laying chickens account for more than 75% of all birds affected by the outbreak from February 8th to January 29th, 2022, making them even worse.
Why did egg-selling chickens get hit harder?
Broiler chickens are not immune to avian flu, but the shorter life cycle can leave flocks less susceptible to major outbreaks.
Broilers are usually slaughtered Within 2 monthsthe egg layer takes a long time to mature and only begins production after 4-5 months. Once these chickens begin laying eggs, the cycle can last for more than a year.
Shorter farm hours means that broilers are less likely to be exposed to the virus.
“I tend to think that's a pretty good explanation,” Anderson said. “I don't know what anyone knows for sure.”
A shorter lifecycle also means that if a swarm of broilers is lost, it can be exchanged faster.
Geography is also important. Broiler is It is mainly produced The southeastern region is not affected by recent outbreaks compared to major egg-producing states such as Iowa and Ohio.
The supermarket said a variety of housing styles could also be a factor.
Once the avian flu test returns to positive, the entire flock is culled to help prevent the spread of the virus, and egg-soaked chickens are usually housed in larger flocks.
For commercial operations, egg-soaked barns contain hundreds of thousands of chickens in multiple layers, while broiler homes average around 25,000 birds at one level. Masu.
Where do the prices go from here?
The bad news for consumers is that egg prices are expected to rise by 20% in 2025. According to the USDA.
Meanwhile, Anderson said volatility in the egg market means prices could drop rapidly if the avian flu outbreak subsides.
In fact, that's exactly what happened a few years ago. In January 2023, US consumers paid an average of $4.82 per dozen eggs, but just six months later, in June, the average price fell to $2.22 per dozen.
“For low prices, all we need is time and stop the illness from happening for a while,” Anderson said.
In the meantime, businesses have taken steps to combat “egg spray.” Added a budget-friendly chain waffle house$0.50 per extra egg chargeOn all menus. They also have grocery stores like Costco and Trader Joe.Actionlimits the number of cartons a customer can purchase.
As for chicken, USDA predicts that wholesalers' prices will fall by about 1% this year.
