Los Angeles, January 5 (IANS). Bird flu (avian influenza) has affected egg prices in California. Demand has increased and supply is less, as a result prices have increased tremendously. An increase of about 70 percent has been recorded in the last two months alone.
Xinhua quoted a report released on Friday as saying that egg prices continue to rise in California. The price of a dozen large eggs has increased by $0.78 and is now selling for $8.97, while the average price of a dozen jumbo eggs in Southern California has increased from $8.91 to $9.10.
According to the USDA, jumbo eggs are the largest. These are followed by extra large, large and medium eggs. In fact, the consumption of eggs increases during the holiday season amid snowfall.
Egg prices nationwide have declined somewhat, but still remain high, the USDA’s weekly report said. The wholesale price of eggs in the New York market has increased by $ 0.12 to $ 6.06 per dozen. This price was $3.13 in October and $2.13 a year ago.
The report also said that the demand will remain till the end of 2024. There is reason for increasing concern about rising egg prices and supply shortages.
According to the USDA, the reason for the rising egg prices and supply crisis is the increasing outbreak of bird flu (HPAI). Millions of egg-laying hens were killed due to the flu. By the end of December, more than 128 million birds had been infected with the disease.
–IANS
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