Bird Flu’s Impact on Alabama and Egg Prices

It’s an outbreak affecting chickens across the Midwest leaving a shortage of eggs, especially in places like iowa where Alabama depends on its egg supply. 

 

“Lost 30 million table-egg layers in Iowa,” said Ray Hilburn, Associate Director the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association.

 

He says you’ve probably seen the result  of it in egg prices at the grocery store.

 

“This past week you’ve seen egg prices rise to as high as $3.30-3.40 per dozen. Pretty much double. The wholesale price has fallen back down the last two days, so I think that will kinda go back and settle back. But it won’t ever go back to $1.60-1.70 again for a very long time,” said Hilburn.

 

While egg prices may stay high, the good news is the disease has not spread to humans and is highly unlikely, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Experts also say eggs and poultry are safe to consume.

 

Alabama Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan says the state is doing everything it can to keep avian (“bird”) flu from coming here.

 

“We’re doing extensive, increased testing at our diagnostic labs to be sure we are on top of this just as much as we can possibly be. And all the growers and producers and processors are working real hard on tightening up biosecurity,” said McMillan.

 

McMillan says the disease would have to be brought here by wild water fowl, and even though they may migrate here in the fall, he says the heat provides a good resistance to the virus.

Nevertheless, experts say they are ready for what may come. 

 

“We feel like we are better prepared, our industry is, but we certainly hope it doesn’t come here. But  we hope if it does, we  are prepared to be able to handle it and keep it from spreading so much,” said Hilburn.