US’s egg prices post record high
Consumer prices have reached reach record levels as farms begin recovering from bird flu outbreaks.
USA – The cost of eggs in the United States continues to rise, with prices hitting a new peak in March even as supply disruptions from avian influenza start to ease.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics, a dozen large, grade A eggs averaged US$6.23 in March, marking a 5.9% increase from February and a 60% rise compared to last year.
This marks the third consecutive month of record-high egg prices for consumers, primarily driven by the lingering impact of bird flu outbreaks that affected commercial poultry farms in late 2024.
However, farms are beginning to report fewer cases of avian influenza, signalling a potential shift in supply conditions and offering some hope for relief at the retail level.
In its most recent update, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) noted that wholesale egg prices in key markets such as California, New York, and the Midwest had declined as of April 4.
Conventional and cage-free egg inventories have grown in recent weeks, though the supply of organic eggs experienced a slight dip during the same period.
Despite the drop in wholesale costs, the USDA warned that it may take time before the reductions are reflected in consumer prices at grocery stores.
Even so, grocers are beginning to offer promotional discounts again as shelves become better stocked and demand starts to taper off.
The USDA stated that egg supplies have improved significantly, allowing consumers to access a wide variety of options without facing restrictions on how many they can buy.
Since January 1, more than 30 million birds have been culled due to avian flu outbreaks, which heavily impacted production in the early part of the year.
So far in April, only one commercial farm has reported a new infection, a sharp drop from the 12 outbreaks in March and the 85 seen in January.
Health officials note that avian influenza tends to spread less during warmer months, with higher temperatures believed to limit the virus’s spread on farms.
Still, flock sizes remain reduced, with USDA data showing a 12.5% decline in caged laying hens by March 1 compared to the start of the year.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have raised concerns about the rising prices, with some alleging that egg producers may be taking advantage of the situation to boost profits.
Cal-Maine Foods, the country’s largest egg supplier, confirmed it is cooperating with a Department of Justice investigation into the recent surge in consumer prices.
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