By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL bakeries are feeling the economic squeeze as egg prices continue to skyrocket, warning that product costs will rise because the situation has not improved.

Their concerns follow a record-high increase in US egg prices, driven by an ongoing bird flu outbreak. Experts warn prices could climb even further, even as some consumers struggle to find eggs.

Michael Turner, owner of Jumper Brother’s Bakery, said he had hoped prices would have stabilised by now. Instead, costs have surged since Christmas, with a case of eggs now selling for nearly $300 — double the previous range of $120 to $150.

“I could remember when eggs were like $50 a case, and then it kept jumping and jumping, and now it’s at $300,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “It’s eating into your profits.”

Before the outbreak, a dozen eggs typically cost between $3 and $4 in local stores. Prices have since doubled in some locations — and tripled on some Family Islands.

Mr Turner described the rising costs as the latest financial strain on local businesses already battling high operating expenses and inflation. To manage, he has adjusted recipes and sourced more affordable ingredients while maintaining product quality. But even that, he said, is no longer enough.

“We got to make adjustments to pricing now. It’s a must. It’s not like you can avoid it anymore,” he said, estimating that costs could rise by $5 to $10 depending on cake sizes and by 50 cents for bread.

He said purchasing from local farmers has not helped either, as their prices remain just as high.

“I guess they’re jumping on the bandwagon to make as much as they could,” he said, adding that even wholesale suppliers offer no relief.

“In wholesale places, it’s the same situation, so everybody just going crazy.”

Shawnette Williams, owner of Something Sweet Bakery, called the situation “ridiculous,” noting that eggs are just one of several ingredients rising in price.

“Eggs used to be $100-something a case, and every time I buy eggs — it’s like every two weeks — it’s a new price,” she said. “We’ve definitely been doing our research and watching the news, especially in the States, and we heard that eggs will probably be like this for the rest of the year, so we’re trying to see how best we can source our eggs.”

She said her company’s profit margins have dropped significantly, forcing it to introduce new products to offset losses.

Mark Grant of Heavenly Creations said his team has started offering cake and pastry specials that require fewer eggs.

“We have not adjusted our prices since the increase, but if it does continue or gets worse, we would have to consider the price adjustment,” he said.

Some bakers preparing for the Valentine’s Day rush also acknowledged rising costs.

The Davis administration has touted its efforts to boot food insecurity and reduce food import costs. In 2023, it launched the Golden Yolk Project, aiming to produce 15 million eggs annually while reducing the country’s reliance on imported eggs.

When he was minister of agriculture, Clay Sweeting said in 2023 that the “Golden Yolk will have an immediate national economic impact”.

However, it remains unclear what fruit the project has borne.

Darron Pickstock, the chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), said the project is being rolled out in phases and that “locally laid eggs from the pre-launch phase of the Golden Yolk project are anticipated to be on store shelves shortly”.

He said: “BAIC officials and officials from a number of Government agencies are working double time to see this project to fruition.”

Earlier this year, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the project has been delayed as the government works to bring a newly acquired feed mill online. The mill is intended to ensure farmers can properly feed hens to support local egg production.