Avian Flu Results in Egg Shortages

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US bakers are finding they can't make their latest tasty treats due to the Avian flu taking its toll on chicken and egg populations across the country.  A virulent strain of H5N2 has infected over 201 farms across 15 states devastating both the poultry and egg industries across the Midwest.

Because of the scarcity of eggs, the federal government is now taking emergency measures to boost the egg supply across the country.  Because of the avian flu, the USDA said earlier this week that it would now allow pasteurized eggs imported from the Netherlands.  Bakers and other consumers have all grown restless about the effects of the Avian flu outbreak as prices have soared and supplies have begun to run low.

While Canada already sends eggs into the United States, the Netherlands now has the honor of becoming the first country from the European Union to be allowed to import eggs to the United States.  However, some feel that this is not enough.  The American Bakers' Association has said that it now plans to lobby Congress to reinstate imports on eggs as supplies continue to run very low. 

A lobbyist from the American Bakers' Association said that commercial bakers were forced to look elsewhere when the outbreak began affecting the liquid egg industry. This led to the market reacting uncontrollably with suppliers refusing new contracts and limiting sales.  Other bakers had even begun to seek out egg substitutes to prevent production shutdowns because of the flu outbreak.  Many bakers even saw egg prices double for wholesale eggs while prices for shell eggs in grocery stores have gone up as well, meaning every consumer is now feeling the impact of this latest outbreak. 

John Clifford, the U.S. chief veterinary officer, told Reuters that the worst is still behind us and states that the outbreak might wane by mid-summer, when higher temperatures are predicted to help kill the virus with companies expecting the situation to get worse.

Due to the epidemic, breaker operations have now been instituted on most of the affected farms.  This means that the eggs are broken and processed into liquid eggs right there on the farm before being shipped out.  These eggs are frozen, liquid or powdered and are used in the production of cookies, breads and more.

While this is not the first time the poultry and egg industries have been affected by avian flu, it is one of the most serious outbreaks in recent years.  Currently industry experts estimate that over 50 million hens will be lost because of this outbreak and until the outbreak is brought under control, the market will continue to fluctuate and react wildly making the situation for many farmers, bakers and consumers even more difficult than it is today.