June 2, 2008

US egg price climbing up
    

Egg prices have gone up by 30 percent from a year ago due to rising costs of feed, diesel and chicks.

Cost of readying a hen to lay eggs has jumped 60 percent, with feed accounting for one-third of the rise, and diesel also now costs US$4.70 per gallon. Feed, diesel and chicks are major expenses for egg producers.

Larry Thomason, a North Georgia egg farmer said readying chicks to lay eggs now cost US$3.25, up from US$2 a year ago.

Egg prices started increasing two years ago when egg farmers reduce production in response to an oversupply situation.

The cost to produce a dozen Grade A large eggs has risen from 57 cents to about US$1.05 over the past two years, according to the USDA.

Retail price of eggs has also climbed about 30 percent in the past year.