“Consumers have been used to high prices: high gas prices, fuel prices, food prices," said Walter Kunisch with Hilltop Securities. "You want to talk about tightening the belt around the table this year.” Kunisch says avian flu is playing a large role in increased poultry prices. So far, more than 47 million birds have been affected in 42 states, and numerous farms across central Pennsylvania have experienced major outbreaks.