ECON Price of Eggs Up 47% as Food Costs Spiral Out of Control

Hfcomms

EN66iq
The Price Of Eggs Is Up 47 Percent As Food Costs In The U.S. Spiral Out Of Control
August 10, 2022 by Michael





Now they are trying to convince us that dramatically higher prices are good news. Are you kidding me? Our standard of living is being systematically destroyed, and more Americans are falling out of the middle class with each passing day. The government just announced that in July the consumer price index was 8.5 percent higher than it was the previous July. Of course many have challenged the value of the inflation numbers that the government is giving us because the way inflation is calculated has been changed many times over the years. As John Williams of shadowstats.com has pointed out, if the rate of inflation was still calculated the way that it was back in 1980 it would be far higher than anything that we experienced during the Jimmy Carter era of the 1970s. You can spin that any way that you want, but it is still a raging national crisis.

Yes, energy prices in the U.S. have fallen a bit, and many Americans are very thankful for that.

This reprieve won’t last indefinitely, and so don’t celebrate too much.

Meanwhile, food costs continue to spiral out of control
“The food index increased 10.9 percent over the last year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending May 1979,” BLS said.
Some grocery store items have seen prices rise even faster, though.
“The food at home index rose 13.1 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said. “The index for other food at home rose 15.8 percent and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 15.0 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.3 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 14.9 percent (dairy and related products).”
Those numbers are absolutely abysmal.

I am sure that you have noticed that prices are going up when you visit the grocery store. Personally, I still remember the days when I could fill up an entire shopping cart full of food for just 25 dollars.

What will 25 dollars get you today?

In the old days, eggs were always a fairly inexpensive option, but the government is telling us that the price of eggs has risen 47 percent over the past year…
Inflation is wreaking havoc on breakfast, with egg prices at grocery stores soaring a whopping 47% in July over last year, according to retail analytics firm Information Resources Inc.
47 percent!

That is nuts.

Of course the bird flu pandemic that has killed tens of millions of our chickens is the primary reason for that price spike.

As I detailed a few days ago, a number of major problems have combined to create a “perfect storm” for global food production. The war in Ukraine, skyrocketing fertilizer prices and extremely bizarre weather patterns are just some of the reasons why global food supplies are getting tighter and tighter.

So the truth is that food inflation is not going away any time soon.

In fact, I expect global food prices to be substantially higher in 2023 because food production all over the planet will be way below expectations in the months ahead.

We could handle rising prices if our paychecks were going up just as fast.

Needless to say, that isn’t happening. As Zero Hedge has pointed out, real average weekly earnings are “now down 16 straight months as inflation eats away at any wage gains”.

So even the highly manipulated numbers that the government is giving us show that our standard of living has been falling for 16 months in a row.

Ouch.

In the months ahead, I expect this trend to accelerate. It is being projected that heating costs are going to greatly accelerate all over the western world, and that is certainly not going to help matters.

This will be particularly true over in Europe. Becoming so dependent on Russian natural gas was a very foolish thing to do, and now the war in Ukraine has changed everything.

For example, over in the UK it is being projected that absurdly high heating bills will push a significant proportion of the population into financial hardship this winter. The following comes from CNN
Nearly one third of households in the United Kingdom will face poverty this winter after paying energy bills that are set to soar again in January, campaigners say.
About 10.5 million households will be in fuel poverty for the first three months of next year, according to estimates from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition (EFPC) published on Tuesday — meaning that their income after paying for energy will fall below the poverty line.
The UK is supposed to be one of the wealthiest nations on the entire planet.

But thanks to the war in Ukraine, household energy bills are about to soar to absolutely unprecedented heights
The predictions are based on new estimates from research firm Cornwall Insight, also published Tuesday, which show that the average household energy bill is expected to hit £3,582 ($4,335) a year from October, and £4,266 ($5,163) from January — equating to about £355 ($430) a month.
If the war in Ukraine is causing this much pain, what will happen to global energy markets when Iran and Israel go to war?

And what will happen when the United States goes to war with China?

I keep trying to sound the alarm, because it is just a matter of time until those conflicts also erupt.

Meanwhile, food production all over the planet will continue to be ravaged by drought, floods, crippling fertilizer costs and persistent global supply chain problems.

Our leaders told us that inflation would just be “transitory”, but that turned out to be totally false.

Now they are telling us that next year will be better.

You can believe that if you want.

But right now global food production is being hit by major crisis after major crisis, and as a result food prices are likely to continue their upward spiral for quite some time to come.

the-price-of-eggs-is-up-47-percent-as-food-costs-in-the-u-s-spiral-out-of-control
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
I went to the store for my weekly run on Thursday and looked at the receipt when I got back home. The 18 count eggs were $5.18 which was up almost a buck in the last three weeks. My chicks that I bought in April are full grown pullets now and I expect them to start laying within the next month so just in time to have some 'home grown' food to add to the preps.

Not as much concerned about the price of eggs as I am the availability. Noticing many more emptier shelves in the store and a lot of fronting going on by pulling product forward on the shelves to make the shelves appear fuller. The egg section at the store was only about 1/4 full on this trip.
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
Come see me.

Can barely give them away, around here.

I'm going to have way too many at least for awhile. I've got 10 pullets which should get me at least 7 or 8 eggs a day. I like eggs but I don't like them that much. I have saved up a lot of egg cartons and I'll take them to work and sell them for $1 per carton. Pretty sure they will sell as free range eggs taste a heck of a lot better than warehouse raised on commercial feed.

I got that many because you figure a couple of your chicks will die (none of mine did) and over time the predators will take one now and then. Also in winter unless you leave a light on in the coop the egg production drops quite a bit. I wanted to be able to have enough eggs even if I lose a few hens and if some of them don't want to lay for awhile.

I can also give some to the neighbors if they get hungry and ask for food or I can feed some to the dog as well.
 

Samuel Adams

Has No Life - Lives on TB
In my experience, one can’t have too many chickens.

Feed availability is the only limiting factor.

Every bird out there is a slow-cooked-on-the-woodstove-with-taters delicacy waiting to happen.

Too many eggs is also easily remedied.
I break them into the ground chicken feed and mix them in well, making sure the shells are broken up small enough to be unrecognizable, so as not to create egg-peckers….and voila, free protein.

Yeah, “selling” to friends for a dollar a dozen is also a positive use.

It is a joy to produce extra….

Reference Ephesians 4:28.
 
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WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Some of the egg price is due to the bird flu thing this spring. The number of producing commercial flocks should pick up soon.
The rest is due to feed costs, labor, processing and transportation. I don't see an end in sight for that part of the problem.
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
SP1's reports have had a lot of reports from people that raise chickens and the feed costs are really going up quickly like everything else and availability is a problem as well and yeah, all the input costs are going up too so obviously the eggs will reflect that.

I put quite a bit of money into this lately. I haven't had chickens for a few years so I still had the coop but I bought a small poly shed for about $500 to store up the feed, bedding, scratch and minerals etc. Then using materials on hand I built a three hole nest box and then factor into it the heat lamp running 24/7 for the first 8 weeks and then filling up the shed with everything they need.

These are going to be expensive eggs so even with what I paid a few days ago it's still a lot cheaper just to buy them at the store but the biggest factor is going to be availability going forward and access to consumables such as the feed and bedding so I spent the FRN's up front and should be good for quite awhile if I can't get resupply from Tractor Supply.
 

Samuel Adams

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It’s a bit of work……but dried stinging nettle (urtica) leaves are an excellent winter protein supplement for chickens.

Sprouted wheat, or other suitable grain(s) and nettle leaves would be a complete feed for the birds.
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
My ace in the hole if push comes to shove is I have literally close to a half ton of storage grains between the corn, wheat, rice and oats and all of these the chickens will eat in need be.
 

ainitfunny

Saved, to glorify God.
i got 30 things at COSTCO.
I was shocked when she said $300!
well, at least I accidentally bought eggs,
now i got 8 dozen, by the time I eat them all
eggs will probably be $10 a dozen the next time I buy them!
 
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CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
then factor into it the heat lamp running 24/7
Just for some informational purposes:

Many years ago we raised Boxers. At first we kept them out, but then they started fighting, and boy did they ever fight. So we put them in kennels, and rotated them out on a weekly basis.

During the winter we put heat lamps in each kennel, there were 5 of them.

One month my electric bill went up 300.00 Called in yada yada, and told the guy I had 5 heat lamps going would that cause it? He told me that 5 lamps would only be about 5.00 a month. Just trying to give a figure on how much One lamp would cost.
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Just for some informational purposes:

Many years ago we raised Boxers. At first we kept them out, but then they started fighting, and boy did they ever fight. So we put them in kennels, and rotated them out on a weekly basis.

During the winter we put heat lamps in each kennel, there were 5 of them.

One month my electric bill went up 300.00 Called in yada yada, and told the guy I had 5 heat lamps going would that cause it? He told me that 5 lamps would only be about 5.00 a month. Just trying to give a figure on how much One lamp would cost.
I sure notice it when I have chicks in the brooder, and I try to hold it to a couple of 100 watt bulbs. Even for four weeks, it jacks up the power bill. To get an estimate, start with the wattage of the bulbs you use and figure from there.

Try running a couple of 1500 watt stock tank heaters in the winter. $$$.
They are thermostatically controlled, but in cold climates, not unlike running 1500 watt milkhouse heaters 24/7 for 6 months.

IOW.. a watt is a watt is a watt.
 

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Start with the wattage of the bulbs and figure from there.

Try running a couple of 1500 watt stock tank heaters in the winter.
$$$
They are thermostatically controlled, but in cold climates, not unlike running 1500 watt milkhouse heaters 24/7 for 6 months.

IOW.. a watt is a watt is a watt.
These were 250 watt. I would think that is a big difference.

I'm not in the chicken business but I would think a 250 watt heat lamp in a chicken coup for 10 chickens would be enough. But like I said I'm not in the chicken business. Not in the Boxer business anymore, either.
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
One month my electric bill went up 300.00 Called in yada yada, and told the guy I had 5 heat lamps going would that cause it? He told me that 5 lamps would only be about 5.00 a month. Just trying to give a figure on how much One lamp would cost.

Well, a 250 watt heat lamp running 24/7 is 6Kw a day and my current rate is .15 cents a kilowatt hour so that is a little less than a buck a day for two months so that is over $50 of electricity for one heat lamp and then multiply that by the 5 heat lamps you had. The guy that told you about $5 a month was full of the brown droppings.
 

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, a 250 watt heat lamp running 24/7 is 6Kw a day and my current rate is .15 cents a kilowatt hour so that is a little less than a buck a day for two months so that is over $50 of electricity for one heat lamp and then multiply that by the 5 heat lamps you had. The guy that told you about $5 a month was full of the brown droppings.
This was years ago, like in years. So the cost per watt was way down.

And the problem turned out to be the meter reader read it wrong. And my electric bill was normal. The 5 heat lamps didn't do a thing to the bill.
 

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, a 250 watt heat lamp running 24/7 is 6Kw a day and my current rate is .15 cents a kilowatt hour so that is a little less than a buck a day for two months so that is over $50 of electricity for one heat lamp and then multiply that by the 5 heat lamps you had. The guy that told you about $5 a month was full of the brown droppings.
BTW my point in posting my information was to let you know that running a heat lamp in the winter wasn't that expensive to do.

However if YOU feel it is, then maybe you should reconsider raising your own eggs. But like I said I'm not in the chicken business.
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
BTW my point in posting my information was to let you know that running a heat lamp in the winter wasn't that expensive to do.

However if YOU feel it is, then maybe you should reconsider raising your own eggs. But like I said I'm not in the chicken business.

You don't run heat lamps in the coop in winter. Number one they are a fire danger and number two full feathered chickens do just fine without them. If you run heat lamps in the winter and your chickens are not acclimatized to cold weather and your power goes out they will freeze to death.

Like you said your experience was years ago what it costs to run your lamps, but if you were to run 5) 250 watt heat lamps today that would be 30kw of electricity a day and at .15 per kWh or more that could easily be $5 a day, $150 a month, etc. That might not be much to you but that is a lot more than I want to spend on keeping chickens warm.
 

CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Then using materials on hand I built a three hole nest box and then factor into it the heat lamp running 24/7 for the first 8 weeks and then filling up the shed with everything they need.
I don't know exactly what the problem is here, but you will notice you are the one who said YOU'D be running the heat lamp 24/7 for 8 weeks. I don't have a chicken run in this race. I was just saying it's not that expensive, but if you want out, go for it. I don't think anyone would fault you since your electric bill is going to be so high.
 

Freeholder

This too shall pass.
The heat plates that the chicks huddle under are a lot cheaper (and probably safer) to run than heat lamps. Just for those who plan to raise chicks....

Also, when you have a surplus of eggs, store them! There are several ways that you can put eggs away and have them keep for months in perfectly usable condition -- look in the kitchen or homesteading sections of this forum for threads on it.

Kathleen
 

packyderms_wife

Neither here nor there.
Some of the egg price is due to the bird flu thing this spring. The number of producing commercial flocks should pick up soon.
The rest is due to feed costs, labor, processing and transportation. I don't see an end in sight for that part of the problem.


This right here, it's amazing how quickly the public forgets these things!
 

Hfcomms

EN66iq
The heat plates that the chicks huddle under are a lot cheaper (and probably safer) to run than heat lamps. Just for those who plan to raise chicks....

Also, when you have a surplus of eggs, store them! There are several ways that you can put eggs away and have them keep for months in perfectly usable condition -- look in the kitchen or homesteading sections of this forum for threads on it.

Kathleen

I’ve also got a heatplate and used both for the first month and then switched just to the lamp. What I did do in building the nest boxes is to use a couple of 20 watt seedling matts on the floor and then covered that with plastic and then of course nesting material in the boxes. I am hoping that will prevent the eggs from freezing in winter until I can gather them.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
We have 1 rooster and 8 hens. We collect from 5 to 7 eggs per day and have a surplus of eggs that we give to the neighbors. We do not wash the eggs but wipe them down with a dry cloth for the eggs will last longer not being washed.

I biggest need is egg cartons which we do get some back from the neighbors and we use plastic bags when we do not have any spare egg cartons. We inform the neighbors that the eggs have not been washed for they will last longer that way.

Our eggs taste a lot better than the store bought eggs.

I remember not so long ago that you could buy eggs for $1 per dozen on sale, but not any more. A dozen eggs was over $3 per dozen.

Grocery prices are up even at Walmart. We made a grocery run Friday (8/12) to Walmart and Kroger's. Did not see any shortages, but did not shop every aisle. Walmart had lots of pallet goods in the aisles.

The only item that I saw at Walmart that was the same was Walmart's Great Value Dry Roasted No Salt Peanuts which are still $1.98 for 16 ounces. Bought another 5 jars. The furr buddies and I like roasted peanuts.

There was plenty of soup at Walmart and Kroger. The problem that I have discovered with store bought soup is the amount of salt which goes from 35% to over 80% which limits me to soup that has less than 40% salt which are are Campbell's Chunky Chicken and Beef with country veggies.

Buy today what you can for it will cost more in the near future.

Texican....
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Yes, eggs are expensive, but they are on my list of "must eat" foods, so I will cut expenses in other areas. I've already returned to a lot more cooking from scratch, and eggs are necessary. Yes, I use substitutes sometimes, but eggs are still cheaper than meat.

Added: I expect this will be another reason for Civil War II: the price of everyday food and beloved snacks getting out of reach.
 

Walrus Whisperer

Hope in chains...
You can fake a hen gone broody into taking chicks that aren't hers. Either beside the broody girl or overhead, have the littles in a small box overnight. She hears them peeping and scrabbling in the box, in every time I tried it, I was successful in grafting the chicks onto the broody mama. Especially if the hen is a buff orp or a marans, they just can't seem to resist the actual chicks. Nevertheless, they do bear watching for a while. I did have a girl that would step on a chick or two and kill it, need to have room around her.
 

Txkstew

Veteran Member
I don't know exactly what the problem is here, but you will notice you are the one who said YOU'D be running the heat lamp 24/7 for 8 weeks. I don't have a chicken run in this race. I was just saying it's not that expensive, but if you want out, go for it. I don't think anyone would fault you since your electric bill is going to be so high.
Maff don't lie. Get to Ugly’s Electrical References, 2020 Edition: Miller, Charles R.: 9781284194531: Amazon.com: Books

I got a bootleg copy some where, but with a copy of this reference, you can calculate any load.
 
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