Millions of Americans, struggling to make ends meet, have had few places to turn to find ways to save on necessities. However, the options these hard-working individuals have traditionally relied upon for discounted items are rapidly diminishing. Forced to face their current predicaments head-on, many are having to make hard decisions like excluding popular items like eggs from their grocery lists.
Dollar Tree, a prominent discount store across the nation, made the difficult decision to remove eggs from its store shelves recently as egg prices skyrocketed. In March of this year, average retail prices of eggs rose to over 40% higher than they were one year ago with some types of eggs increasing in price by as much as 60%.
Fox business reports, Dollar Tree sells a majority of its merchandise for $1.25, though it also sells some items for $3 and $5.
Spokesperson Randy Guiler told the Washington Examiner, “Our primary price point at Dollar Tree is $1.25. The cost of eggs is currently very high.”
However, the eggs will likely return to shelves once “costs are closer to historical levels.”
A total of 8,000 Dollar Tree locations can be found in North America and the United States. Last month’s consumer egg prices saw a slight dip, but still increased 55% in one year from the same month last year.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported that a dozen large Grade A eggs cost $4.21 on average in February, down from $4.82 in January.
There is a possibility that prices will increase again as Easter approaches.
Mainstream media blame this the skyrocketing precises on the Avian flu.
https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6322570433112#sp=show-clips
According to David Anderson, Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension, Bryan-College Station, “Wholesale prices continue to rise, which indicates retail egg prices have not peaked. The teetering flock numbers couldn’t come at a worse time for consumers.”
In January, USDA egg prices were steady to slightly lower than in December, but the price of eggs is usually at its peak in spring due to Easter egg hunts and baking.
Until these prices go down nationally on eggs. Parents are going to have to find another cheap protein to rely on for their children or start raising their own chickens if they have the resources. This will hurt a lot of unprivileged families, at least they still had places like Dollar Tree to buy some nutritious foods.
Let’s continue this conversation, in the comments below.
