NATIONAL NEWS – The big Trump lie: Egg prices are not decreasing

Laila Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer

Egg prices reached a record high in February with bird flu running rampant through the poultry across the country. The Consumer Price Index(CPI) shows that a dozen Grade A eggs now cost $5.90 across the U.S. This is an increase of 10.4% from a year ago. Avian flu (bird flu) has been detrimental to the poultry industry in this country and has forced farmers to slaughter over 166 million birds. If prices remain at this all-time high or increase this will be the third year in a row that consumers have faced the economic phenomena known as sticker shock ahead of holidays like Easter and Passover. The price had been consistently below $2 a dozen for decades before the disease struck. The U.S. The Department of Agriculture(USDA) is expecting egg prices to rise by 41% this year over the average of last year which was around $3.17 per dozen.

However, the USDA reported that the egg shortages are easing and wholesale prices are dropping. This could provide some relief on the retail side before Easter and Passover this year. In a report released by the USDA on March 7th officials said, “Shoppers have begun to see shell egg offerings in the dairy case becoming more reliable although retail price levels have yet to adjust and remain off-putting to many. The Trump administration had unveiled a plan for bird flu including a $500 million investment to help farmers strengthen their biosecurity measures. This includes $400 million in aid to help farmers whose flocks have been impacted by avian flu.