Here’s How Much the Price of Eggs Has Surged in Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - It's being called "eggflation" - the rapid rise in the price of eggs over the last few weeks, courtesy of widespread bird flu and other factors.

Across the country, people have taken notice of the price of eggs in their local grocery stores, and even some restaurants are making some pretty wild adjustments to their menu pricing to try and convince customers not to order eggs at this time.

READ MORE: Louisiana Waffle House Locations Add Egg Surcharge as Prices Surge

The news is making headlines around the country, and eggflation is hitting everywhere, even in Louisiana. Here's what's happened.

Why Are Prices Spiking?

The short answer is bird flu.

The longer answer is that, along with bird flu, several factors have an impact on egg prices. But, currently, bird flu is the biggest factor.

"Over the last 30 days, 125 flocks were confirmed to test positive for bird flu, according to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service," ABC News explained. "Of the flocks, 81 were on commercial farms and 44 were backyard flocks."

If a single bird gets infected, there's only one way to stop the virus from spreading: You have to de-populate or cull the entire flock. A massive, nationwide cull can affect the price of eggs very dramatically, as many folks are now seeing.

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How Much Has It Soared in Louisiana?

According to the data aggregate site World Population Review, the price of a dozen eggs has risen to $5.59 in Louisiana. We don't have the most expensive eggs in the country (that honor belongs to Hawaii at around $10), but it's still a 50 percent surge.

The price spike isn't due to a shortage, which is usually a concern when prices rise so dramatically. Rather, the supply chains are being affected, and there is a fear that we could see a shortage in the future if the spread of bird flu keeps up.

Can Bird Flu Impact Humans?

Yes, it can. In fact, Louisiana is home to the only bird flu death recorded so far this year. It's not as deadly for humans as it is for chickens, but it's not pleasant, either.

What's more, a specific strain of bird flu has been detected in some cattle in various parts of the country, leading to concerns about dairy safety. However, health officials say that the general cooking process for eggs kills any lingering virus that they may carry and that pasteurized milk is safe to drink.

Drinking raw milk, however, could pose a risk. There have not, however, been any reports of humans catching the virus from eggs or milk.

When Will Prices Fall Again?

So far, there's no end in sight to the surge. The spread of bird flu requires de-populating entire flocks, which can set many farms back quite a bit.

Prices are still on the rise and are expected to be for a while.