(NewsDakota.com/NAFB) – Egg prices are hitting record levels.

Free Republic Dot Com says the surge in price is being driven by an avian-influenza outbreak that’s killed tens of millions of chickens and turkeys in the U.S. this year. Wholesale prices of Midwest large eggs hit a record of $5.36 a dozen this month.

Retail egg prices are rising faster than any other items in American supermarkets in 2022. Egg prices are up 30 percent from January through early December compared to last year and outpacing overall food and beverage prices. Some suppliers are predicting potential price relief by February or Mach, but cold weather could slow production in the near term.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has led to the death of 58 million birds, making it the deadliest outbreak in U.S. history. USDA says entire flocks have to be destroyed after an infection is confirmed to limit potential spread.