this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2025

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454

Are egg producers inflating prices during the bird flu outbreak to boost profits? (apnews.com)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

108 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

Egg producers blame the bird flu outbreak for record-high prices, but critics argue dominant companies are exploiting supply shortages to boost profits.

With over 166 million birds culled and egg layers significantly reduced, prices surged from under $2 to nearly $5 per dozen.

Egg supply is down only 4% from last year, yet profits have surged. Cal-Maine Foods, supplying 20% of U.S. eggs, reported a $219 million profit in the last quarter, compared to just $1.2 million before the outbreak, a 18,150% increase.

Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for a government investigation into potential monopolistic practices.

(page 2) 50 comments

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[–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I live in Alaska, and if nobody was talking about the eggs thing I wouldn't have had more of a thought about it than "huh, eggs are a little expensive right now. Or are they? Have they always been this expensive?"

For reference, eggs here are $10-$11 a dozen. And for extra reference, a regular sized container of strawberries fluctuates between $5 and $12, and a carton of ice cream (e.g. Dreyer's) is generally around $12 if it's not on sale.

The thing is, around here people just... shift what they buy mostly. Strawberries are expensive? Time to buy apples. Ice cream is expensive? Wait to buy until it's on sale, then buy 8. Bread is only $4.50 a loaf? HOLY SHIT, FILL HALF THE FREEZER.

I'm not trying to minimize the issue. There are lots of people who specifically need eggs (e.g. bakers), but for the most part, I feel like this is some weird hyper-fixation. This feels like toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic.

To egg distributors: sell more 6-packs. Outside of baking, I just don't think normal people need that many eggs.

[–] Landless2029@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It comes down to upbringing. I rarely had eggs for breakfast growing up but my partner had eggs every morning. They strongly prefer 2-3 eggs every morning so we go through a dozen a week. I maintain 2 dozen in the fridge at all times to cover spikes for lunch/diner uses.

We also have no kids. Some people with 2 or 3 kids also grew up on eggs so that's a dozen gone in a day or two. That's several dozen a week.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago

Some people have been having one or three eggs every day for the past 60 years. For me, I just stopped eating eggs, for these people it's harder. It's dumb but what isn't?

[–] tiredofsametab@fedia.io 10 points 3 days ago

If people keep buying, the prices will also never go back to what they were as sellers will decide that the market supports it (though probably reducing what farmers actually get so of course the middlemen get all the profit -- buy direct and local wherever possible!)

[–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Yes. Next question.

[–] Zier@fedia.io 6 points 3 days ago

President Felon in in charge, they are totally going to rob consumers. No one will stop them. I don't eat eggs so I am rooting for the prices to go up. Are they $20/a dozen yet?

[–] bitchkat@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Why can't I find half dozen eggs? I don't each many eggs so a dozen would have a significant number wasted. They used to be self half dozen quantities?

[–] shadow_wanker@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They last so much longer than the best before date.

[–] bitchkat@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Yes but not nearly long enough. I like occasional 2 egg omelette but not more than once a week.

[–] Azzu@lemm.ee 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You can't eat 12 eggs in 4 weeks?

[–] bitchkat@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I might only want one omelet in a month but I'd force myself to have a 2nd I order to use up the eggs.

[–] satans_methpipe@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Eggs are really hard to steal. Not impossible, just difficult.

[–] the_q@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

Absolutely.

[–] peregrin5@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Are (insert here) inflating prices?

Answer is always yes.

[–] bigcow@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Only exception is the Costco hot dog.

[–] blakenong@lemmings.world 1 points 3 days ago

Rotisserie Chicken ;)

[–] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 3 points 3 days ago

Nooo they wouldn't fleece us at the first opportunity, not a chance /s

[–] vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 days ago

a counterexample to betteridge's law of headlines!

[–] superkret@feddit.org 2 points 3 days ago

Of course not, Trump specifically banned that!

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago

They wouldn't!!

[–] cabron_offsets@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Fuck do you think?

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