Egg prices soar in the U.S. but not in B.C. Here's why

Rising egg costs have been a hot-button topic in the United States, but a farming organization in British Columbia says that while prices in the province have risen, eggs remain "one of the least expensive proteins in the grocery store." 

Amanda Brittain of B.C. Egg, which oversees egg farming in the province, says price increases have been much smaller than those in the U.S. due to Canada's supply management system.

"That means we produce just enough eggs to feed the people of Canada," she said. "Here in B.C., most of the eggs are farmed right in B.C., so we don't have large excesses of eggs."

Brittain added that B.C. does not export any whole-shell eggs.

She said in the last four weeks ending March 22, they've seen an approximately five per cent increase over the same period last year, adding that the rise may stem from the fact Easter falls later in the calendar this year compared to 2024.

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One of the factors for rising egg costs in the U.S. has been the avian flu. Brittain says the flu has been less of a factor in B.C. because farms are much smaller in Canada than in the U.S.

"When one farm is impacted in Canada, it has less of an impact on the market overall," she said.

Since the beginning of 2024, over 70 million laying hens were affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu) in the U.S., working out to about 19 per cent of U.S. production, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The number of birds that had to be depopulated in the U.S. represents almost three times the population of Canada's laying hens, it said. 

Those looking for even cheaper eggs can turn to raising poultry in their backyard.

John McCurrach of Purity Feed in Kamloops says he is seeing interest from customers who are looking to raise their own backyard flocks as it is a cheap source of protein, particularly compared to beef.  

Purity Feed staffer Miya Lopes says she hears from customers who say they are thinking about cost savings as well as food security and sustainability.

"We're seeing a huge rise in people wanting to really pay attention and have a hand on where their food comes from," she said.

Lopes said she also hears from people who enjoy the experience. 

"Building henhouses and raising chicks, especially when you have young kids, can be an extremely memorable and rewarding experience."