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The bird flu outbreak, which led Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on Dec. 18, has given way to a significant egg shortage affecting most of California, including San Benito County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), bird flu coincides with the fall migration, when chickens in poultry farms can become infected through contact with migrating waterfowl or contaminated surfaces.
The egg sections at local grocery stores have been affected by the shortage. As of Dec. 18, the egg supply at Nob Hill was scarce, with only organic and more expensive options available. The shelves at Safeway have also been bare, with only larger cartons available.
Both Hollister Supers, as well as Windmill Market in San Juan Baustista, have eggs, but fewer than are usually available. Owner Chang So said the stores have set limits on how many cartons customers may purchase. [Editor’s note: So contacted BenitoLink to say limits were removed on Dec. 20.] So, who is a BenitoLink board member, said he has been forced to increase his prices.
“I don’t think customers should have to spend more than $10 on a dozen conventional eggs,” So said. But as prices keep climbing, stores have to increase prices to protect their profit margin.
While grocers have been affected by the shortage, the county’s poultry livestock have not been affected by the flu. According to the CDC, there was an avian flu outbreak in November 2023 at a local facility operated by a commercial duck breeder, but there hasn’t been an outbreak in backyard or commercial poultry in San Benito County since.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of this week there were more than 7 million birds affected in California. One of the most recent outbreaks affected 500,000 chickens in Tulare County. There have also been outbreaks this month in Kern, Stanislaus, Merced and Fresno counties.
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