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.world
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    1 day 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.world
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      7 hours 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…

    • Pandantic [they/them]@midwest.social
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      8 hours ago

      In other words - taking capitalism to the extreme to cut costs.

      “What if we just pay chicken farmers for their eggs and sell them?”

      “But it will be much more cost effective if we cram these million chickens into a warehouse and drive the small guys out of business!”

    • lazynooblet@lazysoci.al
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      1 day ago

      A million. Christ. Probably all caged living awful lives, poor things.

      I have 2 backyard chickens and they are really happy. Fresh eggs every day.