Recently two million egg laying birds had to be killed at a farm in Jackson County because of an outbreak of bird flu.

This particular flock of birds was a massive cog in the economic machine that propped up the nations supply of eggs. With this flock now out of commission until new birds can be made ready to lay eggs, economists say you can expect egg prices to remain higher than usual.

Economists, like Carol Rogers with the IU Kelley School of Business, say high demand combined with a strained supply chain equals higher prices.

“Because the demand is so high and continuously high that probably by mid to late summer is when we will see prices start to come back down,” Rogers told WISH-TV. “Right now, people can expect prices upwards of $5 to $6 a carton.”

Though grocery prices are are one thing, Rogers said the most hurt is being felt by restaurants who usually buy directly from the supplier. An example of that hurt is Waffle House where the nationwide breakfast chain has added a 50-cent surcharge for each egg orders in a meal.

Rogers also said that what is making it worse is people essentially hoarding eggs by buying them in bulk. She said buying in bulk when prices are high like this squeezes the egg market even more, which can drive prices even higher and for longer.