How Bird Flu Could Impact Food Prices & Availability

A recent outbreak of avian influenza among wild bird populations and poultry farms could have far-reaching impacts on food supplies, particularly eggs and chicken.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a broad term for several types of influenza. The most recent outbreak in the U.S. is a virus called H5N1, classified as highly pathogenic. The virus has been widespread among wild birds and has spread to poultry farms, dairy and cattle farms, and even to people, though human infections are rare. This week the first human fatality attributed to bird flu was reported in the U.S.—a 65-year-old Louisiana man with other health conditions.

Given the outbreaks of H5N1 on farms, bird flu has the potential to greatly impact the food industry. We’ve spoken to our farmers, vendors, and distributors to get a sense of what may be coming. Here’s what we know:

Egg Prices. Egg prices have already been on the rise due to a combination of factors including increased demand and rising feed costs. Bird flu outbreaks can significantly impact egg production, leading to further price increases and potential shortages.

Poultry Prices. The price of chicken nationwide could also be affected. If outbreaks force farmers to cull large numbers of birds to prevent the spread of the virus, supply chains could be disrupted, leading to shortages and higher prices for consumers.

Indirect Impacts. As the world learned during the pandemic, outbreaks can have unpredictable and systemic consequences, including panic-buying, supply-chain bottlenecks, and product shortages. In this case, the impact of bird flu is expected to extend beyond poultry. For example, if feed costs increase due to disruptions in the supply of grains used for animal feed, this could lead to price increases for other animal products like beef and pork.

What Consumers Need to Know. The bird flu picture is evolving and may affect availability and pricing on a wide variety of products for the foreseeable future. Look for updates on our blog, e-news, social media, and on signs in our stores.

Also, remember that at the Co-op, we source locally as much as possible, which hopefully may mitigate some of the impact. As we learned during the COVID-19 outbreak, local food networks can be stronger and more resilient than the byzantine national and global supply chains that are so vulnerable to disruptions.

—Ken Davis, Senior Writer