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Biden’s Investment in American Infrastructure is Not Why The Price of Eggs is High

Avery Wiseman

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Avian Influenza: The Primary Driver

The most significant factor contributing to the high cost of eggs is the outbreak of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. This disease has devastated poultry populations across the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the bird flu outbreak in 2022-2023 led to the culling of millions of egg-laying hens, drastically reducing the supply of eggs. The basic economic principle of supply and demand dictates that when supply decreases and demand remains steady or increases, prices will rise.

Rising Feed and Fuel Costs

The cost of feed for chickens has also seen a substantial increase, driven by global market conditions. The war in Ukraine has disrupted grain exports, leading to higher prices for corn and soybeans, the primary ingredients in poultry feed. Additionally, rising fuel costs have compounded the issue, affecting everything from the production to the transportation of feed, as well as the transportation of eggs themselves.

Inflation and Labor Shortages

General inflationary pressures have also played a role. The pandemic-induced economic disruptions have led to broader inflation, which has impacted the cost of goods and services across the board, including agricultural products. Labor shortages in the agricultural sector have exacerbated these challenges, as farms struggle to maintain production levels with fewer workers.

Infrastructure Investments: A Separate Arena

President Biden’s infrastructure investments, encapsulated in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are designed to address long-standing deficiencies in the nation’s infrastructure. These investments focus on repairing roads and bridges, improving public transit systems, expanding broadband access, and upgrading water systems. While these projects require significant funding, they are financed through a mix of new revenue sources and reallocated federal funds, structured to minimize immediate inflationary impacts.

Furthermore, infrastructure projects typically have long lead times and their economic impacts are spread over many years. The goal is to enhance the nation’s economic efficiency and competitiveness in the long run, rather than exerting short-term inflationary pressure. In fact, well-planned infrastructure improvements can reduce transportation costs, increase productivity, and ultimately benefit the economy.

Misattribution and Political Rhetoric

Blaming infrastructure investments for the rise in egg prices conflates unrelated issues and oversimplifies complex economic phenomena. It is important to disentangle these narratives to foster a more accurate understanding of the economic landscape. The notion that government spending on infrastructure directly causes spikes in specific consumer goods prices lacks empirical support.

The Last Word: The Real Culprits

The surge in egg prices can be primarily attributed to the avian influenza outbreak, rising feed and fuel costs, and general inflationary trends, rather than infrastructure investments. President Biden’s focus on improving the nation’s infrastructure aims to yield long-term economic benefits and is not a direct factor in the current price hikes for eggs or other groceries.

In these times, it is essential for public discourse to focus on the real issues and solutions rather than diverting attention to unrelated policies. By understanding the actual causes behind rising prices, policymakers and consumers alike can better navigate these challenges and work towards effective resolutions.