Economist Greg Archer of Texas A&M University said highly-infectious avian influenza is to blame.
Since Feb. 8, 2022, more than 134.7 million birds have been lost across 1,410 flock outbreaks, including 637 commercial and 773 backyard flocks, the federal government said.
The USDA reported 304 million table egg laying hens in the U.S. flock as of Jan. 1, a 2.3 per cent decline compared with the 311 million laying hens at the same time last year.
Wholesale prices for large Grade A eggs hit an all-time high of $6.14 per dozen on average nationally Jan. 18 compared with $2.20 in 2-23 before the flu hit hard.
In Vancouver, where avian flu has hit hard for two months, the retail price for Grade A Large eggs is averaging $7 a dozen.
