California is grappling with a severe bird flu outbreak in 2024, leading to significant egg shortages for the second consecutive year and causing price instability in stores. The California Poultry Federation has labeled this year as the state’s most significant bout with bird flu.
The repercussions of the bird flu have been felt intensely by farmers in regions like Sonoma County and the Bay Area, resulting in noticeable shortages on retail shelves. Bill Mattos, the president of the California Poultry Federation, shared concerning statistics, stating, “We’ve lost over three million layer chickens, lots of ducks, and a million chickens for meat already.” The Central Valley, a vital agricultural region, bore the brunt of the outbreak, with approximately one and a half million egg-laying chickens lost in less than six weeks. Read more