A national farmers’ advocacy group is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the possibility of price collusion between major egg producers.
Eggs now average more than four-dollars a dozen nationally. Iowa reflects that trend, where a dozen eggs cost more than two-and-a-half times what they did a year ago.
The U-S Department of Agriculture has blamed a deadly avian flu outbreak and supply-chain problems for the egg shortage and sharp price hikes. But the rural advocacy group Farm Action contends its research proves those factors are not to blame. Dee Laninga with Farm Action says her group investigated the U-S-D-A’s data…(audio clip below :16 )
Some egg producers have said the avian flu outbreak has made it difficult to get new laying hens. Inflation and supply-chain issues are also being blamed. But Laninga says these still don’t justify the dramatic price increases…(audio clip below :17 )
The U-S-D-A reports that egg prices are down slightly nationwide. Iowa is the top egg-producing state in the nation, according to United Egg Producers.
(credit to Iowa News Service)
