Egg Shortage Due To Bird Flu Leads To Higher Prices! Will Egg Rationing Help Deal With The Price Increase?

The US could see record-high average prices for eggs this year in the wake of millions of chicken being slaughtered at Midwestern farms hit by avian flu, leading to some egg shortages.

The hike in prices could probably help New Hampshire's small yet developing industry of poultry farms, The Telegraph noted.

Steven Normanton, of Litchfield, who raises cattle, pigs and about 600 egg-laying chickens on his farm opposite Griffin Memorial School, noted that "It does change the price difference. It gets people to think about organic eggs that may not have done so in the past."

Following the recent bird flu outbreak that brought chaos as far as the nation's poultry industry and supply of eggs is concerned; about 35 million of the more than 300 million egg-laying birds in the country have had to be killed so far, according to records on CNN Money.

In a bid to hold egg prices as low as possible, Texas-based supermarket owner H-E-B recently announced that it is restricting the number of cartons of eggs its customers can buy at all its stores.

In an email H-E-B spokesperson Dya Campos stated, "Our goal is to hold prices as low as possible and level out the volatility in the egg market for our customers. Posting limits on the purchase of eggs is a proactive move to keep prices low and availability strong for Texas families."

Even some restaurants are forced to cut back on the number of egg they use too citing the supply issue. Whether it's the whole eggs, the packaged liquid yolk and whites or the frozen egg products, food companies are now paying a lot more for eggs.

Although breakfast at Fast food chain Whataburger is available until 11 p.m., Whataburger said earlier this month that it will only serve eggs sandwiches from 5 a.m. through 11 a.m. as a result of the shortage.

That being said, chances are more food companies may take similar actions.

On Wednesday, June 10, the USDA lowered its 2015 and 106 projections for egg supplies, stating that the detection of bird flu in Minnesota, Iowa and other Midwestern states will curb egg production. It also increased the anticipated average wholesale price of eggs this year. It is now predicting a range of $1.60 to $1.66 for a dozen eggs, up from estimates of $1.30 to $1.36 in May.

There are in fact some indications that egg prices may begin softening, since the recent increases have led to reduced demand.

According to the USDA's weekly egg prices update, released Friday, "Trading has slowed across egg products markets as limited offerings are met with increasing buyer resistance."