WASHINGTON — Shell eggs broken in February totaled about 160 million dozen, down 1% from February 2013 and down 9% from January, while edible products from those eggs totaled 208 million lbs, down less than 1% from last year and down 9% from last month, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture Egg Products report. Meanwhile, breaking egg prices have soared on tight supplies and strong demand, according to data from Milling & Baking News.

Egg products


The amount of liquid whole egg product from eggs broken in February was 118 million lbs, down 8% from the same month last year. The amount of separated egg white was 60 million lbs, up 12%, with yolk at 30 million lbs, up 13%, both representing continued strong demand for whites-only breakfast items at many fast-food restaurants as well as frozen breakfast items in grocery stores.

Breaking eggs


Prices for breaking eggs, meanwhile, are nearly double year-ago levels. Breaking stock egg prices were quoted by Milling & Baking News at around $1.20 a dozen in the first week of April, up 60c from the same week last year.

Dried egg whites


Strong demand for egg white products has sent prices for those items soaring as well, with liquid white values in early April up more than 60% and dried white prices up about 95% from a year ago, according toMilling & Baking News.