The cost of the Avian Flu on local businesses

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - You may have noticed that the Avian Flu affects not only migratory birds or your walk at the local park but also food prices.

We spoke to some local businesses about how the Avian Flu affects their bottom line.

Due to inflation, not only has the cost of living gone up, but now it seems the Avian Flu is driving up the price of food.

Putting the costs for local businesses in a bit of a scramble.

Egg prices have gone up in the last six months, as much as 20 to 25 percent, according to Troy Strand, who owns the Ranch Eats food truck and catering.

Strand says he’s seen a jump of $20 to $30 for 60 eggs.

“It definitely puts a little bit of a strain on us when you tell someone we don’t have eggs today because they are not available anywhere you look. It’s tough there are bare shelves,” said Troy Strand, owner of Ranch Eats Food Truck and Catering.

Strand says he now has to give at least a week’s notice to food suppliers to request eggs.

“We had two events yesterday. I ordered organic liquid eggs for that event, and it took two weeks to get them,” said Strand.

Due to inflation, Crooked Cup owner Eloy Martinez says he saw this price jump in the early summer of 2022.

“We don’t know what the price is going to be at the store. And that’s always a big surprise because it fluctuates anywhere from 50 percent to 70 percent,” said Martinez.

Martinez says the price has jumped even further because of the Avian Flu.

“The prices of our products have been consistent since the prices were $7.98 for five dozen eggs. Considering that now the same amount of eggs is costing us $27 plus...If you find it,” said Martinez.

Due to the increase, these businesses have had to move some of the costs to the consumer reluctantly.

“We have to adjust the prices a little bit, and we hate changing prices. You know I’m always considering the people that come and see us and everything. I don’t see 5 dollars coming through the door; I see our friends, the people that came over the years,” said Martinez.

Martinez has thought about temporarily taking some items off the menu but has yet to make any final decisions.

Both business owners say they want to manage the increased costs as much as possible and remind everyone to support their local businesses.

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