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November 21, 2008 4:08:55 PM CST

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Easter Bunny's Budget Strained as Egg Prices Skyrocket

Posted Mar 22, 08 6:19 PM CDT in Business,  US 

(Newser) – As far as the egg industry is concerned, Easter might as well have been Christmas. Prices skyrocketed 29% over the last year, and show no sign of slowing, as eggs are such a staple that demand hasn’t slowed a bit. “We’ve never seen profits like this,” said one egg farmer. Consumers shelling out over $2 a dozen are less thrilled, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Rising chicken feed prices sent eggs on their upward spiral, but farmers are successfully passing them along. Normally, when prices soar, egg farmers increase production, and prices drop, but this time it hasn’t happened. Many are wary of over-expansion, while others are watching a California bill that would outlaw industry-standard cages. “It’s a perfect storm, no doubt about it,” said one poultry expert.

Source Chicago Tribune

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Hens in the barns run free at Phil's Fresh Eggs in Forreston, Illinois.   (KRT Photos)
KRT FOOD STORY SLUGGED: EASTEREGGS KRT PHOTO BY KENT PHILLIPS/DETROIT FREE PRESS   (KRT Photos)
Bob Sheasley holds eggs and one of his chickens "Rosie," October 18, 2005, at his farm in Worcester, Pennsylvania.   (KRT Photos)
Prices For U.S. Food Staples Rise Steeply   (Getty Images)
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food prices • agriculture • farmer • Easter • eggs • chickens


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