[Hot Air] The good news is that the price of gasoline, clothing, car insurance, airline fares, and hotel stays have dropped. The bad news is that the price of your grocery bill is higher. The price of groceries went up in April by a monthly jump not seen for forty-six years.The price of the items in the categories that dropped does not affect every consumer. Not everyone drives, or travels by air, or needs a hotel room. Everyone needs food. We can blame the coronavirus pandemic for this turn of events. I’ve noticed price increases, you probably have, too.
An increase in the price of eggs has been especially noticeable, as well as some shortages, too. At the end of March, the average price for a dozen eggs was $3.01. At the beginning of March, the price was 94 cents. This jump seems to have led the way. One item isn’t a crisis, even with something as necessary as eggs for the home cook. Supermarkets were increasing their normal orders to stock their egg cases because of consumer demand. This was actually good news for egg producers who experienced a money-losing year last year.
The short supply is expected to last a while, though. It takes up to five months to raise a hen to its egg-laying age. It is not anticipated that farmers will expand their flocks. Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein and a staple in kitchens. Grocers say it is hard to ask customers to pay more for eggs but costs are going up and they are losing money on eggs.