100,000 organic eggs stolen from one US grocer as bird flu drives up prices
100,000 Organic Eggs Stolen: Thieves in Pennsylvania stole over 100,000 organic eggs valued at approximately $40,000 from Pete & Gerry’s Organics on February 1. The theft occurred from the back of a delivery truck parked in Greencastle around 8:40 PM.
Rising Egg Prices: This incident coincides with a significant surge in egg prices due to an ongoing bird flu outbreak. Prices have increased by more than 65% over the past year, with forecasts suggesting an additional rise of about 20% by 2025.
Impact of Bird Flu: The bird flu epidemic has led to the loss of millions of egg-laying hens, exacerbating the shortage and driving prices up. Reports indicate that since the outbreak began in 2022, around 104 million egg-laying hens have been lost, severely impacting supply.
Waffle House Price Increase: In response to the rising costs, Waffle House has introduced a temporary surcharge of $0.50 per egg for customers, reflecting the extraordinary spike in egg prices.
Public Reaction: The ongoing egg shortage has led to reports of empty shelves in grocery stores, reminiscent of stockpiling behaviors seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
