SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Anyone out grocery shopping might have noticed empty shelves when they got to the egg aisle, and if not, they probably noticed the higher price tags on the ones still there.
This time last year, California consumers were paying $2.55 per dozen. Now the price has more than doubled, reaching an average of $6.72.
At the grocery store, the high price isn't the only problem for shoppers; some are seeing shortages as well. Experts say an avian flu outbreak and inflation are to blame.
"It's the whole supply chain issue that all of us as consumers are facing with high inflation, rising costs everywhere," said Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation. "Well, the poultry farmer is facing the same thing: energy costs, shipping costs, the cost of feed has really skyrocketed. But on top of that, the bird flu wiped out up to 60 million layer chickens and turkeys in the U.S. and that devastated the supply."
Mattos said people will just have to wait it out as impacted farms repopulate herds of hens.
"Hopefully within 6 months to a year, we'll see prices start to come down again," he said.
In the meantime, local businesses are dealing with the same shortages and price hikes.
Julie Wong and her family run Cake Castle Bakery and Supplies in South Sacramento. It was bought by her parents more than 40 years ago.
While Wong said the bakery hasn't had to raise their prices yet, they are on the hunt for a cheaper option.
"You know, you have to have eggs to bake your cake," said Wong.
"If the prices don't go down, we thought of just buying a chicken!" added Wong.
For now, Wong encouraged people to think local when shopping, noting that those purchases make a difference for local businesses.
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