Egg Market Makers

The WSJ reports on the Egg Clearinghouse, or ECI while we are in the midst of the recent dramatic egg shortage and increase in egg prices.

While the article mentions that some have suggested price gouging, it seem more likely that supply has shifted in because temporarily, there just are not enough egg laying hens to supply the market.

The deadliest outbreak of avian flu in history has resulted in the death of more than 100 million U.S. chickens, turkeys and egg-laying hens since 2022, according to the Agriculture Department. Once infections are identified in a single bird on a farm, whole flocks are often eliminated to prevent further spread, creating supply shortages in some regions and grocery stores.

As a consequence, the number bids to buy eggs is now more than double the offers to sell.