Expert: Grocery store prices steady despite avian flu

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) – An avian flu outbreak at a southern Indiana farm has had little to no effect on the price of poultry and eggs purchased at the grocery store, a Purdue University expert said.

Hundreds of thousands of birds were euthanized as a result of the avian flu discovery, which was the first avian flu outbreak at a commercial poultry farm in Indiana.

Purdue agricultural economist Phillip Paarlberg said market estimates show the price for poultry and eggs in grocery stores changed by plus or minus 1 percent, which is standard any time of year.

“With these price changes there will be very little impact on consumers,” he said. “At least that is how it stands now.”

Part of the reason prices haven’t increased locally is because of decreased demand in exports. Multiple countries have imposed restrictions on importing Indiana poultry as a result of the avian flu scare.

Experts said if the avian flu issue expands or continues, the market could change more substantially.