LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Consumers throughout the nation are struggling sticker shock over the worth of eggs as an ongoing chook flu epidemic has pressured farmers to kill hundreds of thousands of egg-laying hens, resulting in a severe scarcity.
“Normally what I do is pay $4.99 for a dozen pasture-raised eggs. I went into Sprouts and there’s nothing left,” an area shopper advised 8 Information Now.
A nationwide disaster has hit the Las Vegas valley as buyers scramble to search out eggs with the shortage of provide not assembly the demand. When buyers are capable of finding a carton or two, the costs are past outrageous.
“I saw in the paper, it was $3.69, but when you get to the store, it’s like $14 dollars,” Smith’s shopper, Cheryl Martin shared.
In line with the U.S. Division of Agriculture, the egg scarcity is because of the ongoing chook flu. The virus killed greater than 17 million egg-laying hens in November and December, based on CBS Information. Egg costs on common are 38% increased now than this time final yr.
As well as, typical egg manufacturing slowed down within the wintertime as hens lay about half as a lot through the colder months.
As of Sunday, Albertson’s had a restricted provide of eggs whereas shops like Walmart and Greenback Common Market had a lot in inventory. The costs, nevertheless, are nonetheless too excessive for some buyers.
“This carton of 12 is like $8 or $9 bucks, which is almost like a dollar an egg, it’s crazy. If it goes any higher, we will probably stop eating eggs in general. There is no need,” Walmart shopper, Dalyn Burns shared.
As for the way lengthy the egg scarcity could final? Time will inform, however egg producers are calling on lawmakers to develop and administer vaccines to the nation’s hen and chook inhabitants to battle the chook flu.
Many retailers like Smith’s are asking customers to restrict their purchases to 2 cartons per buyer.
