Summary

Canada has avoided the severe egg shortages and soaring prices seen in the U.S. due to differences in farming practices and regulations.

While avian flu has devastated large American egg farms, Canada’s smaller farms and tightly sealed barns have limited the impact.

The U.S.’s industrialized egg industry, driven by cost efficiency, is vulnerable to supply shocks when outbreaks occur.

Canada’s supply management system ensures stable production and restricts imports, keeping farms smaller. Meanwhile, U.S. consumers face continued egg price surcharges and supply pressures.

  • finitebanjo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    10 days ago

    But perhaps the biggest difference is that egg farms in Canada are much smaller, so when one farm does suffer a flu outbreak, the effects are less far-reaching. The typical egg farm in Canada has about 25,000 laying hens, whereas many farms in the U.S. have well over a million. In effect, American farmers have put a lot more of their eggs in a relatively small number of baskets.

    About what you would expect.

    • Fishamatician@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      9 days ago

      The US has frequent salmonella outbreaks as well, most countries vaccinate the hens but the US poultry industry said that 14 cents per bird would harm profits…

  • Buffalox@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    10 days ago

    driven by cost efficiency,

    It’s not so cost efficient now is it?
    Poor safety standards is a short term strategy.

    • tburkhol@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      10 days ago

      Have you seen egg producer profits lately? It’s great for them to have an opportunity to find out exactly how much consumers are willing to pay for their precious eggs. Super cost efficient, for them.

      • Buffalox@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        10 days ago

        Profits <> cost efficiency.
        Obviously those that have eggs good enough to sell, like small producers, make more money. But those that had to put down all their chickens are more likely to go bankrupt.

  • thingAmaBob@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    10 days ago

    I wonder if that’s also the reason pasture raised eggs are cheaper and more available than the other types of eggs where I live. I kid you not, the pasture raised eggs are $3-$4 less than the other types. Free range eggs are $2-$3 cheaper. There are also backyard eggs available for even cheaper.

    • finitebanjo@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      10 days ago

      There are actually more free range chickens in the USA than in Canada due to the weather.