Egg prices are already at an all-time high, and, according to a USDA estimate, they’re only likely to get more expensive as the year continues.
According to a US Department of Agriculture projection, egg prices are expected to increase by 41 percent this year.
Skyrocketing egg prices are largely the result of a widespread bird flu outbreak that forced a mass culling of egg-laying birds. With fewer birds, there are fewer eggs, and with scarcity comes increased cost.
Some businesses have taken steps to try to lessen the blow of the soaring egg prices. Waffle House has started tacking on a 50-cent per egg surcharge for its menu offerings. Denny’s is doing the same.
While eggs have become a pricy buy, the price of chicken meat has not changed much due to the bird flu. That’s primarily because broiler chickens — the chickens we eat — haven’t had their numbers decimated by the flu the way that egg-laying hens have.
Donald Trump has been questioned about what his administration plans to do to help address soaring egg prices.