The current strain of bird flu that is decimating the chicken, turkey, and duck populations in the U.S. is starting to hit trucking in the wallet.
Hitting Iowa the hardest where nearly 40% of its egg-laying hens are dead or dying, the avian flu has been contracted by more than 33 million birds since December and it’s still spreading. Economists are estimating that the total cost of the flu has reached almost $1 billion.
Trucking companies are starting to feel the strain, but it’s just getting started. An economist at the University of Minnesota, Brigid Tuck, estimated that for every $1 million lost in poultry production, trucking companies will see $24,000 in lost income.
It’s not just carriers hauling poultry products that have to be worried though. According to John Hausladen, the president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, reduced trucking volume in the poultry industry means more truckers competing for other loads – which could result in reduced rates across the board.
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Source: truckinginfo, gobytrucknews, desmoinesregister, dallasnews
Image: humansandviruses
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