Businesses and shoppers in Butler County aren’t dealing first-hand with an outbreak of avian flu, but they still are feeling the impact of rising egg prices spurred by the destruction of millions of birds nationwide.

The outbreak, which began last fall and is concentrated in the West and Midwest, had made its way as far east as Michigan as of last week.

Pennsylvania hasn’t been directly affected by the disease, but is feeling the economic pressure created by the flu, which is spread by wild birds.

Carol Bitter, president and CEO of Friedman’s Freshmarkets, said that as of Friday 47 million chickens and turkeys had been euthanized because of the outbreak.

“One third of our entire egg supply was lost as of (Friday),” Bitter said.

She said the disease hasn’t limited the company’s supply of eggs and egg products. Friedman’s primary supplier is Sauder’s Egg Co., which is headquartered in York, Pa.

However, the egg shortage has had a dramatic impact on egg prices at the grocer.

A dozen eggs retails at Friedman’s for more than $3, and there’s no telling when the price hike will abate.

“You’re not going to see 99 cent eggs at Friedman’s for awhile,” Bitter said.

In May a dozen eggs retailed at Friedman’s Butler location for between $1.19 and $1.69.

Bitter said the company could consider coupon discounts on eggs in the future, but that right now “it is what it is.”

Bitter blamed stricter farm regulations that went into effect this year in California and federal rules governing international trade for exacerbating the outbreak’s effects.

“There is a vaccine that is effective in 61 percent of all cases, but the farmers can’t use it,” Bitter said. “It won’t be approved by the (U.S. Department of Agriculture) because of their trade policies.”

Smaller retailers and farmers dealing in eggs say their experiences have been similar.

Eric Shiever of the Butler Farm Market on Route 68, which gets its eggs from Turner’s Eggs in Holmes County, Ohio, says the market has seen “significant price increases,” in recent months.

“(Eggs are) almost double what they were three months ago,” he said.

Ken Metric, the co-owner of Harvest View Farm & Market in Connoquenessing Township, said the outbreak hasn’t changed much about how he manages his flock of about 200 egg-laying chickens.

Metrick’s chickens are cage-free, but aren’t allowed to roam outside, and he’s always been “pretty cautious” about limiting visitors and outside exposure to his coops.

The flu is transmitted by wild birds, Metrick said, so trying to prevent things like grain spills, which can attract wild birds, is important for farmers and those with smaller flocks.

“Cleanliness around the farm is really key in preventing this,” Metrick said.

The egg shortage hasn’t changed much at Harvest View’s retail operations either, he said. But the large-scale destruction of egg laying chickens is likely to put supply pressure on area retailers eventually, he said.

“Localized, I don’t think there’s a shortage yet, but I think it’s going to get tight,” Metrick said.

Costs already are tightening for bakeries, but that hasn’t translated into price hikes for customers.

Mike Bestwick. the co-owner of Pennie’s Bake Shop & Espresso bar on New Castle Street, said his business, which makes cookies, cupcakes and other egg-heavy products, normally uses about 60 dozen eggs each week.

He has watched the cost of wholesale eggs rise from $1.68 to $2.46 in the past month, but he hasn’t raised shelf prices.

“Every single thing we make has eggs in it so it’s just part of the game we play,” Bestwick said. “We’re not just going to immediately raise our prices.”

Debbie Bristen, who owns the Lyndora Bakery with her husband, said she hasn’t raised prices either, despite the cost of wholesale eggs nearly tripling.

About half of the bakery’s products, which include bread, doughnuts and Danishes, use eggs, Bristen said.

“I’m trying to fight it and not raise my prices,” she said.

Bristen said she’s not phased by the shortage, calling the issue “old hat” for people in the retail baking business.

“You always have some catastrophe going on. You just never know,” she said.