Jeff Flock from Fox Business visits a Pennsylvania farm that rents chickens to customers trying to offset the high cost of their eggs with “Claman Countdown.”
US Department of Justice The report examines the recent surge in egg prices.
Antitrust enforcers with a division are investigating the causes of prices rise, including whether egg producers are conspiring to artificially inflate supplies. Reported by the Wall Street Journalquote source.
Spawning prices almost doubled last year, and the USDA predicts that this year will again increase by 41%.
The department said last month it was willing to invest up to $1 billion to address egg prices.
Americans are trying to raise their own chickens amid the national lack of eggs
The sign points to egg restrictions at a grocery store in Manhattan Beach, California on January 2nd. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP / Getty Images)
Price increases have been partially driven by the avian flu, with the massacre of over 166 million birds blowing the spread, mostly egg-selling chickens.
The bird flu epidemic, which began in 2022, is the most deadly in American history.
Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins’ “Five Strategies” aims to curb the increase in the outbreak of avian flu.
As part of the plan, the government agencies Invest an additional $500 million Biosecurity measures, $400 million in financial relief for affected farmers, $100 million for vaccine research. The department is also trying to find ways to ease regulatory burdens and explore temporary import options.
The eggs are on sale from a supermarket in Monterey Park, California on February 10th for 74.9 cents per egg. (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump said in his primetime speech to Congress on Tuesday night that his administration will fight “inflation nightmare” where egg costs are high.
Trump said egg prices have become “out of control” and his administration is “working hard to get it back.” Prices for 12 eggs currently average around $5.00 or even higher in some areas.
Due to a nationwide egg shortage, shoppers are turning their eyes to the Facebook market
US consumer trust Inflation was high in January, and after an annual increase of 3%, it fell sharply last month. However, egg prices, in particular, have been a major problem for consumers as the industry is tackling the ongoing avian flu outbreak.
U.S. consumer trust slumped sharply last month after inflation rose 3% a year in January. However, egg prices, in particular, have been a major problem point for consumers as the industry is tackling the ongoing avian flu outings. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Farmers know that people are irritated, and they are also irritated by the situation,” Emily Metz, CEO of American Eggboard, told the Journal. “They know they can’t wear the amount of eggs people want.”
Antitrust attorney Lisa Phelan told the outlet that antitrust investigations into unusual rising costs due to supply chain issues are common.
“There could be anti-competitive efforts to deal with the crisis, and that’s not okay either,” she said.
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Fox Business reached out to the Department of Justice for comment.
