Egg prices on the rise due to bird flu outbreak
When you walk into the grocery store, you may be in for sticker shock. Egg prices are on the rise due to the outbreak of the avian bird flu.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in the fourth quarter of 2015, eggs will average $1.73 to $1.87 per dozen. That’s up from about $1.63 a year ago.
Some restaurants in the Borderland are already having to make changes to their menu. General Manager of Riviera, Rebeca DeLahoz said this change is vital.
“we have added a 2 dollar surcharge to all of our fresh egg plates,” DeLahoz said. “We do have to meet our budgets so it does affect us if we don’t.”
Plus a local chicken farmer said the shortage doesn’t affect he and his family.
“The big advantage like you said is I don’t have to buy eggs,” the farmer said. “I know they are organic and clean eggs, I feed my chickens organic food and clean their nesting area pretty good. I haven’t gone to the grocery store in about 5 to 6 months.”
The USDA also has approved commercial bakers and producers of processed foods to be able to purchase egg products from the Netherlands.
It’s the first time in more than a decade the us has bought eggs from a European nation.
