The Trump administration has stepped in with a proposal to ameliorate the crisis. In late
February, USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion comprehensive plan that
accounts for biosecurity measures to protect the American poultry industry, and vaccine research while providing financial relief to farmers.
With these measures, one is also witnessing the politicization of the problem. Trump recently
reposted an article on Truth Social titled “Shut Up About Egg Prices — Trump Is Saving
Consumers Millions.” The article, by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, blames high egg prices on the Biden administration and the bird flu outbreak, while promising that Trump's team is actively working to fix the problem.
Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya has highlighted the issue of
skyrocketing egg prices and empty shelves, calling for an investigation into potential market
manipulation.
“While its possible firms are taking advantage of the situation, the overwhelming evidence is
that higher prices are being caused by the bird flu disrupting supply,” explains Foudy.
However, there is precedence for concern in the egg market. There have been past instances of alleged price-fixing in the egg industry, such as the 2010 lawsuit against egg producers for alleged price-fixing, resulting in a federal jury awarding $17.7 million in damages, which was tripled under federal antitrust law. This historical context keeps the possibility of anti-competitive behavior on the radar of regulators and consumers.
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