Posted on 12/30/2022 6:05:43 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — If you haven’t noticed already, one of the big items on your grocery list has become more expensive this year.
In the year through November, not adjusted for seasonal swings, egg prices jumped 49%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brandon Scholz is the president of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. He highlighted multiple reasons why the price of a carton of eggs has skyrocketed.
“We’ve hit that point where demand was just so high, there just weren’t enough eggs out there,” said Scholz.
This year’s deadly Avian flu has been reducing poultry flocks, on top of inflation that continues to be a problem for many grocery stores, he said. The price of eggs can vary depending on where you go, and which eggs you buy.
“Some stores, depending on who they supply from, at this point in time have a good supply and they can maintain that,” Scholz said. “It’s really a combination of factors as to what drives that price.”
Kevin Bernhardt with the UW-Extension agreed. He added that the Avian flu and inflation aren’t the end of this sort of perfect storm for issues.
“In terms of the food that’s hitting the store shelves now, the fertilizer that went into that food was at some of the record prices we had,” said Bernhardt. “That price gets passed on to consumers.”
Though the price tag may go up, eggs are still an essential item to grab at the store. For some shoppers like Hilary Schwarz, this product is just part of her more expensive grocery list.
“I think everything’s more expensive these days. We’re just getting used to this right now but, we still need them and I still want to shop local, so I’m sticking with it for now,” said Schwarz.
It’s not just a problem in Wisconsin, meaning that wherever you are shopping for this product, you’re going to see these prices around for a while.
“Go anywhere in the country, pick your favorite state, and you’re gonna see the same thing at the counter. You’re going to see eggs that are going to be priced differently depending on the label,” said Scholz. “They’re all challenged the same way.”
As for what consumers can do to try to avoid this issue, it’s hard to find other options right now as these problems don’t look like they’re going away any time soon. Scholz recommends similar strategies to what people did during the pandemic: being creative with resources available during a time when it can be harder to get these items.
With replies like that, good think it’s Fryday.
Amazon has them for $2.68
Our backyard flock has dwindled to one chicken who is not laying due to Short days. When you’re used to free eggs $4.99 per dozen is insane.
I discovered at Publix their large eggs in the pink container are 6.53 dozen. However, if you buy the light blue large eggs cage free there less than 4.50 dozen.
Maybe it’s time to purchase a few hens. Had a neighbor years ago that had 4 hens and she used to sell eggs for $2.00/dozen. She said all four hens would lay 2 eggs per day. They werebig jumbo eggs, too.
$9.13 for extra large 18 count locally here in Alabama. Outrageous!
I have a old hen at home as well. She doesn’t lay eggs, but she can cook them.
18 ex. Lg. Eggs in Ca. on sale for $10.99 yesterday OMG!!!
I fixin to go to the welfare store (takes food stamps) in Tuskegee (85 % black county) this afternoon.
I’ll let yall know how much there. Usually very cheap for staples, but much longer drive than my local stores.
I’ve GOT to get me some chickens again!
😮
I can see a nice home business for an egg producer just outside any city. Someone with a lot of eggs and a van going through subdivisions. Either deliver to the house or go through like the old ice cream and milk trucks.
4.48/12...at least one Wal-Mart store....I usually use 5 real eggs a year in my special project recipes....egg white prices seem to be somewhat stable...
The pun attempted in the article title line was eggscrable.
Might be a vvery good idea....especially when covid goes away..
I’ve recently moved to a rural area and buy eggs locally. Right before Christmas I got them for $4 a dozen, but the guy who sold them said he was probably going to soon have to raise to $5 and was concerned that he was going to lose customers. I gave him a ten dollar bill for 2 dozen and told him not to worry about the change.
People might consider quail as well. Less space, easier to hid from HA Nazis. Lots of youtubes on it.
I LOVE that movie!
In my most gravely ‘Southern’ voice I am constantly telling Beau, “What we have he-ah is a FAILURE to COMMUNICATE!”
I’ve raised hundreds of chickens in my life. Like it or not, them eating bugs produces some good-eatin’ eggs.
Like anything else - filter the bad stuff THROUGH a plant or animal first - THEN eat it! :)
Yep. You can save a few pennies per dozen if you buy the larger packs.
Some people can’t eat that many eggs in a week, but we sure can! High Protein/Low Carb is the way to go.
Eggs are such a perfect food. And I have always firmly believed that chickens are God’s most perfect animal creation - right behind the pig. ;)
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