PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Bird flu is keeping the cost of eggs on the rise. Diners, bakeries, and grocery stores are all feeling the effects.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), egg prices are predicted to increase 20% this year alone.
Small business owners say they are keeping a close eye on the cost.
Bakery Delite in Plains Township serves up sweets all week long.
Eggs are a key ingredient in almost everything they bake, and they crack through cartons quickly.
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"In a week, probably about two or three hundred dozen we go through," said Bakery Delite co-owner George Blom.
While the current cost of a carton continues to be a concern for the bakery, Blom says for now, their prices and ingredients will stay egg-xactly the same.
"For bakeries, I mean there is egg substitutes, and things like that for eggs, but they don't work as well. There's no substitute for a real egg, and we're not gonna change anything," said Blom.
Michael Prushinski is the owner of The Scratch Kitchen, which serves lots of breakfast dishes, and the Anthracite Cafe.
His businesses are feeling the pinch, but for now, he too plans to keep prices the same.
At The Scratch Kitchen, he goes through 3,000 to 4,000 eggs a week.
"Now an egg costing 62¢ and in a diner setting, that's how you make your money is on the eggs. So this is really hurting the diner breakfast spots tremendously," said Prushinski.
Due to the ongoing outbreak of bird flu, the average cost of a dozen eggs is up nearly $2 from last year.
