A recent surge in egg prices in the US has left Americans bewildered, with a dozen eggs costing over $13 in some areas. Meanwhile, Canadians are enjoying significantly lower egg prices, with a dozen eggs available for around $2.75 USD.
The recent surge in egg prices in the United States has left many Americans bewildered. A dozen eggs can cost over $13 in some areas, leaving consumers wondering why such a basic staple has become so expensive.
The culprit behind this price hike is a particularly aggressive form of Avian flu that has affected poultry farms across the US. This has led to a shortage in egg supply, causing prices to skyrocket.
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Avian flu, also known as bird flu, is a type of influenza virus that affects 'birds'.
It can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 859 reported cases of avian flu in humans worldwide since 2003.
The virus has caused 455 human deaths, resulting from a total of 18 outbreaks.
Avian flu is typically associated with poultry farms and markets in Asia and Africa.
In stark contrast, Canadians are enjoying significantly lower egg prices. A recent post on Reddit shared that eggs can be purchased for around $2.75 USD per dozen. This is not an isolated incident; Walmart Canada‘s website also lists the same price.
The key to this discrepancy lies in Canada‘s supply management system, which regulates production, imports, and prices to ensure stability. Canadian farms are smaller and more geographically spread out, reducing the risk of widespread issues like bird flu.
According to a 2023 article from Global News, the average egg farm in Canada has approximately 25,000 laying hens, whereas the average US farm has around two million birds. This significant difference in scale contributes to the disparity in egg prices between the two countries.
As one Reddit user joked, ‘Americans soon gotta start driving to Canada for eggs.’ While this may be an exaggeration, it highlights the absurdity of the situation and the desire for affordable groceries.
