APOPKA, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to invest $1 billion to combat the spread of bird flu to try to stabilize rising egg prices.
This new plan, outlined this week, comes as egg prices are expected to continue climbing and Central Floridians are feeling the sting.
The USDA predicts egg prices will rise another 41% this year due to bird flu, prompting many to seek lower prices either in stores or through local suppliers like JaKat’s Eggcellent Harvest.
“For us, this started as a hobby and we had a couple of local folks that would come and shop with us, and now all of a sudden we’re getting a lot of extra people calling from further out,” Jason Erney from JaKat’s Eggcellent Harvest shared.
The Apopka-based couple has chickens laying around 60 eggs per day, but they are still running out.
“Actually, we’re oversold most days where, [we’re telling people], ‘Hey, we’ll get it tomorrow,” Erney said.
Kathryn Erney told News 6 they have to limit purchases to ensure availability.
“We do a dozen chicken eggs for $5,” she said. “We are limiting people to two dozen per transaction just because we want to make sure everybody can get eggs if they need them. And right now, we’re getting phone calls. I can’t find eggs, or they’re $10.”
Restaurants are also feeling the pinch. CBS News reports that chains like Denny’s and Waffle House are passing increased costs to customers.
At Eggs Up Grill in Apopka, General Manager JP Louis explained the impact they have seen.
“I mean, every week prices have gone up on cases of eggs. I personally do two trucks, two orders a week, and just eggs alone, it’s well over thousands of dollars,” he said. “Of course, we’re a business. We still have to make sure we maintain that as well, but also our locals, we want to make sure we keep our price reasonable and food quality.”
Despite rising costs, the restaurant is committed to not increasing menu prices.
Customer John Williams appreciates the effort.
“People need a break. The economy is crazy. The climate is crazy. So, any break we can get is a benefit to the people. I guarantee they keep coming,” he said.
