Local businesses have felt the impact of a nationwide egg shortage caused by a bird-flu outbreak, forcing some to pass the extra cost on to customers.
Steven Nasser, owner of Mike’s Market in Terre Haute, said he hated to be among the local stores raising carton prices. After watching egg sales drop by half in recent weeks, Nasser said he’s noticed relief could be near for Valley pocketbooks.
“Eggs are on their way back down,” Nasser told the Tribune-Star, as a cashier rang up customers Friday afternoon.
The outbreak has killed 48 million chickens and turkeys in 15 states, including Indiana, since March. Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska are the hardest hit states.
Consumers across a wide area, however, have felt the sting. Carton prices climbed to a record $2.32 a dozen for Midwest large eggs in May, a 95 percent increase from April.
Prices were at their highest three weeks ago at Mike’s Market, Nasser said, almost $4 a dozen.
Another grocery store chain apologized for the increase in prices. This week, a sign in Aldi’s egg aisle read, “We’re sorry. The recent increase in the price of eggs is due to a national egg shortage.”
Prices at Baesler’s Market Friday afternoon ranged from $2.09 a dozen for national brands to $4.50 per dozen for locally grown eggs.
Local restaurants — especially those popular with breakfast crowds — have also had to shell out more for egg deliveries recently.
“I’m paying a little bit more, most definitely,” said Bev Marlowe, who owns Bev’s Restaurant on South 25th Street.
So far, Marlowe said, she’s resisted increasing menu prices.
“I’m hoping it’s just going to be a short-term effect,” she said.
At Sunrise Family Restaurant on Margaret Avenue, Nazi Rahmani said the prices he’s paid for eggs has decreased over the past couple weeks. Even when they were higher, the customers didn’t pay more.
“We’re still on the same prices,” Rahmani said.
None of the business owners said they experienced any shortage or delay on egg deliveries.
Chicken deliveries are continuing without problems, as well, at least at Mike’s Market. But Nasser hinted that shoppers may soon have to pay more for that, too.
“Our suppliers say they look for there to be a shortage of chickens, which will drive the price up,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.