The avian influenza epidemic that erupted six months ago is the worst ever to hit the U.S. poultry industry. The USDA’s running tally climbed to 181 confirmed poultry cases with 41 milllion fowl, mostly chickens and turkeys, lost to disease or euthanized to prevent its spread. Harvest Public Media says the epidemic is bigger still, because of the way the USDA keeps its totals – the running tally counts “only those birds that are involved in food production. Left out are wild birds, which officials blame for the start and the spread of the outbreak.”
There are five cases of bird flu in captive wild birds and 72 cases of infected wild birds. So the total number of cases is notably larger than first appears on the USDA list of “ALL Findings.”
Based on initial tests, state officials reported an additional outbreak, at an egg farm with 1 million laying hens in Wright County in north-central Iowa and three more cases on turkey farms in Minnesota. There have been 97 outbreaks affecting 8 million birds in Minnesota, the top turkey-producing state, and 67 cases in Iowa, the No. 1 egg state, affecting 25.5 million birds, including 21.5 million laying hens. The USDA adds incidents to its list after tests to confirm bird flu.
The U.S. average retail price of eggs rose by 32 cents in a week, to $1.49 a dozen for large white Grade A eggs, according to the USDA’s most recent weekly report. A year ago, the average price was $1.34 a dozen. Losses of laying hens have raised concerns about egg supplies. In mid May, the department lowered its forecast by 1 percent for this year due to avian influenza.
Egg prices differed at three supermarkets in the DC suburbs at mid-week. One offered a dozen Grade A Large white eggs for $1.99. Another had Grade A Large white eggs on sale at four dozen for $5 and the third listed Grade A Large white eggs for $2.49 a dozen. Grade A Medium eggs were $2.39 a dozen next to a sign saying, “We’re sorry, due to national supply shortages, egg prices are rising.”
Eggs prices are among the most volatile of food prices, tending to be highest around holidays.