A look at prices in Rappahannock County
Battered by an outbreak of bird flu and victim of global supply chain disruptions, the humble egg is having its day.
Even in the rural oasis of Rappahannock County.
A political barometer in recent U.S. politics, egg prices have surged by 53% in the past year according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite recent drops, egg prices remain above normal, and there’s a chance they could rise again due to the increased demand around Easter. The USDA projects a 41.1% increase by the end of 2025.
Bird flu has been reported in flocks as near as Maryland’s Montgomery County and is continuing to disrupt regional farms as poultry populations decrease. As the virus spreads, infected birds are being quarantined and culled to prevent contamination from entering the food supply.
While bird flu cases have dropped significantly, with the USDA reporting just 2.1 million cases in March compared to over 12 million in February, egg prices are starting to fall as well. The reduction in outbreaks has allowed production to recover, easing the strain on supply. As a result, consumers are finally seeing some relief from the steep price increases that have affected grocery stores in recent months.
Jessica Hall of The Amissville Market in Amissville priced her eggs from Colvin Farms at $5.95/dozen on April 6. When asked why she keeps the egg prices so low, Hall said, “I want local people to be able to get the essentials. You shouldn’t need a six-figure salary to get the basics.” (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
Although prices are on the decline, Rappahannock County consumers have been affected by this year’s price surges along with the rest of the country. However, small local farms have swooped in to save the day, managing to keep egg prices relatively low in a world where an omelette has become something of a luxury item.
“You shouldn’t need a six-figure salary to get the basics,” says Jessica Hall of The Amissville Market.
Because the county is affected by both the harsh margins of the national industrial supply chain and the forgiving nature of small-town economics, an analysis of egg prices found a wide range of egg prices across the county.
A one-day visit to a variety of Rappahannock egg retailers on April 6 found a range of prices for a dozen eggs, from $5.95 to $9.99. In a rural community where the term “locally sourced” carries weight, a key driver is just where those eggs came from.
At 211 Quickie Mart on Lee Highway outside the Town of Washington, eggs were priced at $9.35/dozen (before tax); the eggs at Quickie Mart that day were scarce. Just down the road at The Corner Store in Sperryville, eggs from Rush River Farm in Washington, were $9.59/dozen.
A cashier at 211 Quicke Mart in Washington holds a carton of eggs priced at $9.35/dozen (before tax) on April 6. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
Settle’s Grocery and Garage in Flint Hill also sources its eggs locally, primarily from Whiffletree Farms in Warrenton. The eggs from Whiffletree Farms were priced at $6.99/dozen. Benefitting from reduced transportation costs and direct farm-to-consumer sales, these businesses are able to make a profit while still maintaining a reasonable price point.
The day of the visit, Jessica Hall of The Amissville Market had priced her eggs from Prince William County’s Colvin Farms at $5.95/dozen. Hall says she works together with Wyatt Colvin of Colvin Farms in Nokesville to keep egg prices low for locals. Colvin sells Hall his eggs at $4/dozen.
“A lot of retailers will insist on a 100% markup,” said Hall. “I want local people to be able to get the essentials.”
Colvin admits he is not like most farmers. His chickens, he says, serve as more of a hobby than as an aspect of his business.
“I don’t do it to get rich. I just do it because it’s in my blood, I like farming. And all my grandparents had chickens, so I wanted my kids to see chickens,” said Colvin.
Chickens roam free on the grounds of Colvin Farms in Nokesville, Va. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)
Unlike the large industrial poultry farms that have been hit hard by avian influenza outbreaks, Colvin’s farm runs on a much smaller scale, which helps it avoid many of the disruptions that affect bigger operations. He takes a lot of pride in his farm, where the focus is on both the quality of his eggs and the care he gives to the land and animals.
“When everybody’s flooding to you trying to sell you eggs, you’ll buy eggs from me because I kept the prices consistent. It’s a mutual respect. I help her, she helps me,” said Colvin.
While larger farms are often dealing with rising costs for feed, transportation, and navigating regulations, Colvin’s more hands-on, sustainable approach allows him to keep his prices low without sacrificing quality.
“Anyone can make a sale once, but it’s a return customer where you have success in business,” says Hall. “So many businesses within a rural environment, especially Rappahannock County, have come and gone because they are only able to get people in the door who don’t return.”
