Avian flu crisis brings egg-scrutiating shortage to Arizona
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Grocery stores across the nation are experiencing shortages due to the bird flu. Photo: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The escalating bird flu crisis is ravaging the nation's egg supply, and that shortage has hit Arizona along with the rest of the U.S.
Why it matters: An outbreak of avian influenza is growing and has affected nearly 13 million birds in the last 30 days, according to USDA data.
- Some retailers are limiting the number of cartons consumers can purchase as others are having a hard time keeping shelves stocked.
What they're saying: "It's really a crazy situation and an unfortunate situation for consumers because the supply situation is what it is due to the bird flu," Jason Hart, CEO of grocery chain Aldi, tells Axios.
Zoom in: In Arizona, many retailers have set a two-carton limit on eggs for customers in an attempt to prevent "the mass buying that was happening … during COVID, to just make sure that there's enough for everybody," Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, told Axios.
- Locally, a dozen large eggs at Fry's costs $6.49. The cheapest dozen available at Walmart stores is $5.42.
What's next: Bednar said she expects prices to continue going up.
- Bednar told Axios it could take at least a year for egg producers to replenish their stocks of laying hens, with about 1 million being euthanized nationally due to the avian flu.
Threat level: Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, said retail demand for eggs "has been exceptionally high for a sustained period," and failing to act quickly to find new ways to fight [highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI] could mean continued challenges for customers and consumers."
Zoom out: Egg prices are climbing to new record highs daily, Karyn Rispoli, a managing editor for price-reporting service Expana, tells Axios.
What we're watching: It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will take any action in addition to efforts already underway to address the crisis.
- Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would give Moderna approximately $590 million to accelerate bird flu vaccine trials.
Reality check: "There's no real silver bullet for this thing right now, outside of trying to stop the spread of the virus and get birds repopulated as quickly as possible," Moscogiuri said, adding that "farms are doing their best of their ability."
- "It's unlikely that the new administration will be able to bring about significant change in just a matter of weeks, especially when it comes to the bird flu itself," Rispoli said.