Atlanta

Egg prices are shooting up across the country, but it may not be as bad in Georgia

ATLANTA — The prices of eggs are going up nationwide, but Channel 2 Anchor Linda Stouffer is learning they may be cheaper in Georgia than the rest of the country.

Federal government data shows the price of eggs increased 36% in the last year, which is much higher than other food prices.

In January, the national average cost of a dozen eggs was $6.30, according to data firm Earnest Analytics.

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Dr. Saloni Firasta-Vastani with Emory University’s Goizueta Busines School says that despite the threat of bird flu, Georgia is such a large chicken, egg and poultry supplier.

Because of that, she says prices should be a little more steady here than they are in other states.

“So it’s a simple economics here of demand and supply, and the supply is being constrained because of the avian flu,” Firsasta-Vastani said.

She says it’s up to us to make sure we’re not raising the price of eggs for ourselves.

“A couple of things that consumers we can do to manage the demand is, one, is to not stockpile. If we start loading up on eggs and buying ten dozen at a time and we usually buy just a dozen. Then, you are going to create a sense of artificial shortage, which is going to increase prices for everybody,” she explained.

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Dozens of states, including Georgia, have reported cases of bird flu in commercial flocks.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper says they are increasing testing and surveillance.

“[We’re] confident in the fact that no infected poultry made it into the food supply, that poultry and egg products are safe and secure,” he said.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices have risen from 88 cents a dozen in 1995 to the current average of $6.30, which is a 370% increase.

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