The poultry industry is working hard to keep up with demand but one sector is falling behind. The price of eggs in the U.S. is expected to rise more than 35 percent from early 2017 according to the USDA’s Economic Research Service.
The avian influenza which has devastated Europe this past year is partially to blame for the rise in prices. Egg suppliers in the U.S. stepped in to help fill the demand in these countries. Another problem arose in the Netherlands later in 2017 where some of the egg supply was contaminated with a dangerous insecticide. Several countries were affected including Germany, France and Belgium, with millions of eggs being pulled from the shelves.
Egg consumption is also expected to grow this year to 274 per person, according to NPR. Iowa State University professor Hongwei Xin, said that this is the highest consumption rate the U.S. has seen in the past 38 years. Xin adds that this number will most likely increase in the next few years.
