- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
Summary
Finland has declined a U.S. request to export eggs amid a severe American shortage caused by bird flu.
The Finnish Poultry Association cited the lack of prior trade agreements and complex regulatory hurdles. Even if exports were possible, Finland’s limited egg production would not significantly impact the U.S. crisis.
Other European nations, including Sweden and Denmark, also face difficulties meeting U.S. demand, while Europe grapples with its own egg shortages.
The U.S. has turned to countries like Turkey and the Netherlands for supplies as bird flu remains a global issue.
Egg prices aren’t high solely because of bird flu. They’re high because of regional monopolies and a price fixing cartel. The largest egg producers are seeing record profits.
I hope it’s clear that I’m not saying bird flu doesn’t exist or affect prices. I’m not much of a conspiracy theorist. But if I had to guess, I’d say it’s 10% bird flu and 90% companies raising prices in unison because they can blame bird flu. If it were just bird flu, the companies would be losing money.
NB: it feels very weird to call them “egg producers” because hens are the actual egg producers. Egg distributors, maybe? In any case, the distributors are doing fine and their only competition in most regions are small, organic farms whose eggs were already $7 a dozen. It’s just the low end of the market that’s gone crazy.
Why yes, there was no consequences during covid so the companies are gonna keep doing this until there is consequences.
Remember the bread price fixing in Canada too, yeah, feels like such a long time ago
This is important to bring up. If we want to stop being subjected to this kind of fuckery, we need to unite and vote with our dollars. I love making egg-based dishes, but there are other options. The real problem is most people struggle with the idea of making sacrifices to get what they want later. Just don’t buy eggs as an average consumer if they are that unaffordable.
In the United States, we are spoiled for choice when we shop. We’re used to being able to get what we want when we want it, and that’s led to a sense of entitlement. Eat other things, get creative. Look up effective substitutions for eggs in baking.
We don’t have to take this. So don’t.
Chicken pimps?
I endorse this. From now on, chicken pimps is what egg suppliers are called.
It has to be both. I notice our smaller egg seller (still bigger than a local farm, but not huge, maybe a 2 or 3 state provider) still charges 3.50 a dozen.
Which is in stark contrast to the garbage eggs from the countrywide sellers asking 8