The growing number of confirmed avian influenza (AI) cases in Iowa is affecting egg and poultry prices, economists said last week.

As the avian flu continues its spread through Iowa flocks, it’s limiting supplies of eggs and poultry products, driving up prices.

"Something over 50 percent of our laying flock has been affected," said David Miller, director of research and commodity services for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. "On a national basis, 8 to 10 percent of the laying flock has been affected."

That’s having an impact on prices.

Shell eggs last week were priced at almost $2.40 per dozen, up from $1.24 per dozen or 93 percent higher from a month earlier, according to Steve Meyer and Len Steiner of the Daily...