kathimerini.gr
US Egg Shortage Drives Restaurant Price Hikes, Fuels Record Turkish Imports
Following a 2022 avian flu outbreak that killed over 140 million poultry birds, US egg prices have surged, leading restaurant chains like Denny's and Waffle House to raise menu prices and prompting increased egg imports from Turkey, currently the US's sole egg exporter.
- How are US bakeries and retail chains responding to the egg shortage and price increases?
- The avian flu outbreak, resulting in the culling of over 140 million poultry birds since 2022, has significantly impacted egg prices. A dozen eggs cost $4.15 in December, up from $3.65 in November. This price surge affects various businesses, including bakeries like Bread Furst, which doubled its egg costs in 2022 and increased prices on a third of its egg-containing products.
- What is the immediate impact of the 2022 avian flu outbreak on US egg prices and the restaurant industry?
- American restaurants are raising prices on egg-containing dishes due to egg shortages caused by the 2022 avian flu outbreak. Denny's, with over 1,500 locations, joins other chains in implementing price hikes, citing varying levels of egg scarcity across different markets. This follows a similar move by Waffle House, which increased prices by $0.50 per egg.
- What are the long-term implications of the US egg shortage, and what role will egg imports play in the future?
- The ongoing egg crisis is forcing US businesses to rely heavily on imports to meet demand. Turkey is currently the sole exporter of eggs to the US, planning to export 420 million eggs this year—a sixfold increase from 2022. This highlights the vulnerability of the US egg supply chain and the significant impact of avian flu on food prices and business operations.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the egg shortage as a major crisis, emphasizing the significant price increases faced by businesses and consumers. The use of words like "crisis," "record imports," and "plummeting supplies" contributes to this framing. While the impact is undoubtedly substantial, the framing might overstate the severity of the situation for the average consumer, potentially neglecting the larger context of fluctuating food prices and global supply chain issues.
Language Bias
The article uses strong language such as "crisis," "plummeting," and "record imports" to describe the egg shortage and its consequences. While these terms accurately reflect the severity of the situation for businesses, they could be softened for more neutral reporting. For example, instead of "crisis", "significant shortage" or "supply disruption" could be used. Similarly, "substantial price increases" could replace "record imports.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of the egg shortage on businesses, particularly restaurants and bakeries. While it mentions the avian flu as the cause, it lacks detailed information on the broader context of the outbreak, such as its geographic spread, the government's response beyond culling chickens, and long-term effects on the poultry industry. The article also omits discussion of alternative protein sources consumers might be turning to, or government policies designed to alleviate the shortage. This omission simplifies the problem and limits a full understanding of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the solution to the egg shortage, focusing primarily on increased imports from Turkey. It doesn't explore other potential solutions, such as increased domestic production through government support or changes in farming practices. This creates a false dichotomy between relying solely on imports versus the current situation, ignoring the complexities and potential drawbacks of both.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the impact of avian flu on egg prices in the US, leading to increased food costs for consumers and businesses. This directly affects food security and access to affordable and nutritious food, thus negatively impacting the Zero Hunger SDG.