LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Across the Las Vegas Valley, many families are on an “egg hunt” as the bird flu impacts supplies in stores, and FOX5 is learning how the situation is impacting small businesses.
According to the Nevada Restaurant Association, who spoke to two brunch spots, the establishments are paying $136 for 15 dozen eggs– a 226% increase; prior to the bird flu, some restaurants paid suppliers around $60 for 15 dozen, according to a spokesperson.
One unnamed restaurant is considering a future “egg surcharge” in light of the prices, but plans to ride out the situation, for now.
Nevadans already pay higher prices for eggs than in other parts of the country, according to the Association: in 2021, the Legislature passed a law to mandate only the sale of cage-free eggs. The law went into effect in January 2024.
As the bird flu impacts the chicken population and egg supply, suppliers and stores have limited ways to acquire cage-free eggs.
An independent coffee shop, HI Coffee, tells FOX5 that its egg supplier could no longer meet the need, and had to hunt for eggs at groceries alongside families; prices went from $25 for 150 eggs, up to $110 for the same amount, the owner said.
One independent baker, Bet On Bread, dealt with empty grocery store shelves and a 470% increase at some stores.
“Shocking– three to four times the price,” said Sam Mentz, who helps his wife Isabella run Bet On Bread. “We found, at a farmers market, one of the farmers and local vendors was selling some eggs, so we had some to tide us over. But everybody’s racing right now to get the eggs,” Mentz said.
The USDA expects supply to be lower into 2025, which means it could take time for prices to stabilize.
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