Increase in price of eggs has local impact
February 8, 2023 at 8:29 p.m.
If you're bothered by recent prices for a carton of eggs, you are not alone. Across the country and state, people have been reacting to egg prices that have doubled and even tripled in the past year. One major factor affecting prices that is specific to poultry products: the avian flu epidemic. It's now been sighted in 49 out of 50 states. The state's poultry association calls it the largest animal disease incident in US history. Indiana has been fortunate, experts say, in that we have not had any of our egg laying chicken farms impacted directly by the avian flu epidemic. Rebecca Joniskan, Indiana State Poultry association president, says that inflation has affected all areas of the egg industry. “The high cost of fertilizer and fuel is really what's driving that cost higher cost of feed,” she said. “And just inflation in general, just kind of everything costing just a bit more, all of those things come together to make those prices higher.” Jennifer Woodruff, manager at Woodruff's Supermarket in Liberty, says that the prices have fluctuated greatly over the past year. A year ago at this time large eggs were hovering around $2/dozen, she says, but by the end of 2022 they had shot up past six and seven dollars for a dozen large eggs. Currently, a dozen large eggs costs $4.19 at Woodruffs, though certain brands like Eggland's Best have remained steady in pricing at $3.69/dozen. Jennifer said that people comment regularly about the price increase, as it has been quite notable.
Restaurants have felt the same response to the issue, with menu prices going up on typically low-cost breakfast meals. Angie Jenkins, owner of Hometown Eatery in W. College Corner, had to increase prices slightly but has taken the hit in costs for the most part. Jenkins makes a run for eggs three times each week, buying about 150-200 eggs each run. With the average cost of a dozen eggs still less than $4.00, the incredible edible egg is still a cost-effective source of protein. Gleaners provides a hub for food banks to purchase eggs through Hatch, which is a partnership between United Egg Producers certified farms and food banks.
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If you're bothered by recent prices for a carton of eggs, you are not alone. Across the country and state, people have been reacting to egg prices that have doubled and even tripled in the past year. One major factor affecting prices that is specific to poultry products: the avian flu epidemic. It's now been sighted in 49 out of 50 states. The state's poultry association calls it the largest animal disease incident in US history. Indiana has been fortunate, experts say, in that we have not had any of our egg laying chicken farms impacted directly by the avian flu epidemic. Rebecca Joniskan, Indiana State Poultry association president, says that inflation has affected all areas of the egg industry. “The high cost of fertilizer and fuel is really what's driving that cost higher cost of feed,” she said. “And just inflation in general, just kind of everything costing just a bit more, all of those things come together to make those prices higher.” Jennifer Woodruff, manager at Woodruff's Supermarket in Liberty, says that the prices have fluctuated greatly over the past year. A year ago at this time large eggs were hovering around $2/dozen, she says, but by the end of 2022 they had shot up past six and seven dollars for a dozen large eggs. Currently, a dozen large eggs costs $4.19 at Woodruffs, though certain brands like Eggland's Best have remained steady in pricing at $3.69/dozen. Jennifer said that people comment regularly about the price increase, as it has been quite notable.
Restaurants have felt the same response to the issue, with menu prices going up on typically low-cost breakfast meals. Angie Jenkins, owner of Hometown Eatery in W. College Corner, had to increase prices slightly but has taken the hit in costs for the most part. Jenkins makes a run for eggs three times each week, buying about 150-200 eggs each run. With the average cost of a dozen eggs still less than $4.00, the incredible edible egg is still a cost-effective source of protein. Gleaners provides a hub for food banks to purchase eggs through Hatch, which is a partnership between United Egg Producers certified farms and food banks.