Walmart reported strong sales and profits for last quarter but said times would be tougher this year, a warning that consumers were starting to pull back as they felt the squeeze from relentlessly rising prices for everyday goods.

Egg prices have been surging amid the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of deadly bird flu that decimated chicken flocks.

Monthly growth in food prices accelerated slightly in January, reversing a gradual decline seen in recent months, as the price of eggs, cookies and citrus fruits all rose.

Meat companies still don’t have enough workers to staff slaughterhouses, leading to rising prices and even some acute supply shortages.

Shortages of CO₂ have caused global chaos in recent years, with New Zealand the latest country to face an abrupt and disruptive shortfall.

Supply chain disruptions affect many commodity markets, but are especially detrimental to the digital trading of livestock.

Egg supplies are strained, with an industry group estimating there are about 6% fewer hens laying eggs than normal nationwide. 

A focus on frozen foods and snacks years ago has helped the company excel in today’s world where more people are eating at home

The incident involving the 225-metre Marshall Islands-registered M/V Glory had sparked fears of a repeat of a blockage in 2021.

For workers, rising fuel and car-maintenance costs have made the job less appealing.