US news: Egg heist in Pennsylvania as thieves steal one lakh eggs worth $40,000

Thieves made off with approximately one lakh eggs from a distribution trailer in Pennsylvania, according to authorities speaking with CNBC.

The report said that the incident occurred around 8:40 pm at Pete and Gerry’s Organics LLC in Greencastle, as reported by the police. The stolen eggs are valued at around $40,000.

Also Read: If chicken is cheaper, why should eggs cost so much?

The ongoing bird flu crisis severely impacts U.S. egg prices, with farmers being forced to cull millions of chickens each month. As a result, egg prices have more than doubled compared to the summer of 2023. With Easter around the corner, it seems there may be no immediate relief, as demand for eggs typically rises during the holiday season.

Also Read: Bird flu outbreak ’100 times worse’ than Covid pandemic, say experts

Meanwhile, authorities have not provided further details, and an investigation is currently ongoing. The egg supplier issued a statement confirming their awareness of the theft in Franklin County and stated that they are “actively cooperating” with law enforcement agencies in the investigation.

Rising prices of eggs in US

In December, U.S. wholesale egg prices reached record highs, with a dozen eggs costing $5.57 in the Midwest and $8.85 in California, according to commodity data firm Expana, as reported by Reuters.

The primary reason for these soaring prices is the significant damage to the laying flock caused by bird flu. The virus wiped out over 20 million chickens in the US during the last quarter, marking the highest loss since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022, according to the US Department of Agriculture. This drastic reduction in supply has contributed to the sharp increase in egg prices.

Also Read: US records its first human death from bird flu

The chain said it has 2,100 locations across the United States. Its website says it serves 272 million eggs every year, Reuters reported.

Bird Flu

Last month, Louisiana reported the first US human fatality linked to bird flu. Since the beginning of 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 67 human cases of bird flu in the U.S.

Also Read: Bird flu hits US hard – 46 human cases confirmed, 107 million poultry affected

The H5N1 strain of the virus has been rapidly spreading among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals. As the virus continues to spread in the environment, the risk of human exposure increases, although human infections remain rare, according to officials.

(With inputs from agencies)