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What Next TBD | Cracking the Egg Crisis
Mar 2, 2025
Join Dr. Jada Thompson, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas specializing in agricultural economics, as she dives into the egg crisis that's captured national attention. Discover why egg prices skyrocketed from $2 to over $9 due to a bird flu outbreak and the challenges within the poultry industry. She also discusses biosecurity measures, the controversial practice of culling flocks, and how vaccination strategies may shape the future of egg prices. A fascinating journey into the economics of one of nature's most essential foods!
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Quick takeaways
- The avian flu outbreak has devastated egg production, resulting in a significant decrease in supply and skyrocketing prices for consumers.
- Future reductions in egg prices hinge on controlling the avian flu and replenishing the chicken population, which takes considerable time.
Deep dives
The Impact of Bird Flu on Egg Prices
The ongoing avian flu outbreak, specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has severely affected egg production, leading to skyrocketing prices. This strain has a mortality rate of nearly 90-94% among infected birds, resulting in the loss of millions of laying hens from the market. As of early 2025, about 30 million birds have been impacted, contributing to a dramatic reduction in egg supply. This shortage has prompted some restaurants to impose additional surcharges for eggs, illustrating how tightly intertwined supply and demand dynamics are in this market.
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