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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Egg prices in the United States have tripled, triggering a wave of consumer frustration — and Cal-Maine Foods, the nation's largest egg producer, is at the center of the controversy
• Despite widespread anger over rising costs, the Mississippi-based company has posted record profits, as its dominant market share shields it from price volatility and allows it to capitalize on constrained supply
🔭 The context: Egg prices have surged amid a confluence of factors: persistent inflation, supply disruptions, and the lingering effects of avian flu outbreaks that decimated flocks nationwide
• Cal-Maine, which controls around 20% of the U.S. egg market, operates with limited competition and has benefited from both increased demand and constrained supply
• Public scrutiny has intensified as social media platforms amplify consumer discontent
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The industrial-scale egg supply chain raises environmental and ethical questions — from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to waste management and emissions
• As food inflation reshapes consumption patterns, the crisis underscores the vulnerability of centralized food systems and the urgency of exploring more resilient and sustainable models, including pasture-raised alternatives or localized supply chains
⏭️ What's next: Cal-Maine is expected to face growing pressure from regulators, lawmakers, and consumer advocacy groups over its pricing practices
• Investigations into potential price gouging or anti-competitive behavior could follow, particularly as public backlash intensifies
• The situation may accelerate discussions on food system resilience, price transparency, and corporate responsibility in the face of economic volatility
💬 One quote: “People are looking for a villain, and right now we’re it,” — Sherman Miller, CEO of Cal-Maine Foods
📈 One stat: Cal-Maine’s egg sales rose 68% year-over-year, even as the overall U.S. egg supply declined due to disease-related disruptions
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