ST. LOUIS – While the bottom line is already tight for many people’s budgets, the price of eggs has increased.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of a dozen grade A large eggs was $4.15 during the month of December—an increase from $2.51 in December 2023.

In California, consumers in some areas are shelling out nearly nine dollars per dozen.

Managers at Happy Foods in Kansas City say the price for a dozen eggs has gone up by about 4 dollars since the start of the month.

The American Egg Board says average prices have jumped up by around 30 percent as bird flu continues to affect hens laying eggs.

“If anything, we’ve been positively affected by it,” Chris Bolyard, owner of Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions, said.  “We get all our poultry and eggs from Buttonwood Farms near California, Missouri, about three hours west of here.”

“We’ve been working with them for ten years and they have not been affected by the bird flu fortunately and they haven’t had to change prices based off the commodity market.”

This small business owner monitors this matter closely.

Buying from a local farm means Bolyard’s Meat and Provisions in Maplewood can keep their egg prices the same.

“In turn, with the bird flu affecting larger industrial farms, there’s a shortage,” says Bolyard.  “People seem to be flocking to us.  We’ve seen an uptick in egg sales the past month.”

Bolyard recommends St. Louisans know the origins of their food sources.

“The important thing is just to know where they’re coming from,” Bolyard said.  “There’s lots of local sources for eggs and protein.”