Canada has stable egg supply, unlike U.S. shortage

Canada currently has a stable supply of eggs, in contrast to the United States, where an avian flu outbreak has led to significant shortages. This situation has driven up egg prices in the U.S. to record highs. In Canada, the egg market is performing well. Mike von Massow, a food economist, states that there has been no shortage, and Canadian consumers can choose from 14 types of eggs. This is a stark difference from the U.S., where the avian flu has caused millions of egg-laying chickens to be lost, leading to purchasing limits in stores. The impact of avian flu on Canada’s egg supply has been limited for several reasons. Canadian chicken farms are typically smaller, with around 25,000 laying hens each. This size means that when a flu outbreak occurs, it affects fewer birds compared to larger U.S. farms, which can have over a million hens. Canadian farmers have also benefited from colder weather and fewer free-range chickens, which help reduce flu transmission. In contrast, U.S. farms have grown significantly larger since the late 1990s as a response to market pressures for cheaper food. When the avian flu hits a U.S. farm, all chickens must be destroyed to contain the outbreak. Over 28 million chickens were lost due to flu outbreaks in just the first two months of this year. This loss affects the egg supply and can take at least six months to recover. Canada's smaller farms are supported by a supply management system that helps them remain profitable without needing to grow to larger, riskier sizes. This system, along with restrictions on imports of eggs from the U.S., helps keep the egg supply stable in Canada. Despite the trade tensions, the U.S. may look into increasing temporary egg imports to relieve the shortage and stabilize prices as Easter approaches, a time when egg demand typically rises.