Colorado Shoppers Face Rising Food Prices Due to Bird Flu and Other Factors
Food prices in Colorado are continuing to rise, with experts warning that shoppers will need to dig deeper into their pockets to keep up. Various factors are contributing to this trend, including bird flu, policy changes, labor challenges, and weather-related impacts on production.
Jack Buffington, a professor at the University of Denver, explains that these issues are creating significant headwinds in the food supply chain. Among the most impacted products are eggs and meat. For example, the price of a dozen eggs has risen dramatically—up from $1.48 in 2020 to $4.15 in 2024, with a 36.8% increase in egg prices over the past year alone. Buffington attributes this price hike to the ongoing bird flu epidemic, which has led to the death of over 20 million chickens in the U.S. and a shortage in egg supply.
In addition to the bird flu, Colorado’s new law requiring all eggs to be cage-free has further limited supply, contributing to the increase in prices. Buffington also points to labor challenges, including the potential impact of President Trump’s proposed immigration policies, which could discourage migrant workers from entering the workforce, especially in agriculture.
Tariffs and climate change are also playing a role, with changes in food production in countries like Mexico, which supplies over 50% of Colorado’s agricultural needs. Coffee and chocolate prices are also being affected by climate-induced weather patterns in producing regions.
Buffington warns that inflation will continue to pressure the prices of fresh foods, as these products require immediate harvesting and transportation. He advises consumers to be mindful shoppers, considering where and how much they purchase to avoid the impact of rising food costs.
With these complex issues at play, Buffington fears that the challenges in the food supply chain may persist for the foreseeable future.
