Egg Prices Skyrocket to Record Highs Amid Ongoing Bird Flu Crisis

Egg prices have surged to record highs, with wholesale costs reaching $7.44 per dozen, driven by a shortage caused by the spread of bird flu. The USDA reports that this ongoing crisis is disrupting egg supply, leading to price hikes and purchase limits at many retailers. While most human cases of bird flu have been mild, the virus continues to impact poultry farms, making it unclear when egg prices will stabilize.

Egg Prices Skyrocket to Record Highs Amid Ongoing Bird Flu Crisis

Egg prices have reached record highs in the United States, primarily driven by an ongoing shortage caused by the spread of bird flu. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that wholesale egg prices surged by $0.40 in the last 30 days, bringing the cost to distributors to $7.44 per dozen. Although consumers have not yet felt the full impact of these increases, prices have still been climbing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average price for eggs in January 2025 was $4.95 per dozen, which is 53% higher than it was a year ago, and $0.81 more than it was in December 2024. The highest price on record for eggs was $4.82 per dozen in January 2023.

The price is expected to continue rising in the coming weeks due to the persistent shortage of eggs. The USDA attributes the shortage to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, which has caused significant disruptions on farms across the country. The virus has led to the culling of infected flocks, meaning the affected chickens are destroyed along with their eggs. This has made it difficult for farms to rebuild healthy flocks capable of producing eggs, leading to low supply levels that show little sign of improvement in the near future.

Retailers and distributors are feeling the pressure of the shortages. With supply remaining “very light to moderate,” the USDA noted that many grocers have been forced to limit the number of eggs consumers can purchase. Stores like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Sprouts Farmers Market have put up signs restricting customers to one dozen eggs per visit. This has led to some frustration among shoppers, as they contend with the rising prices and scarcity of eggs on store shelves.

The USDA’s report highlights that the egg market has become highly competitive, with marketers scrambling to secure new short-term supply sources as regular suppliers are impacted by bird flu. As a result, egg prices are being passed along to consumers, further exacerbating the strain on household budgets. The scarcity is also influencing other retail decisions, such as limiting purchases to stretch existing supplies, which is becoming a common practice among stores in affected areas.

In addition to the rising wholesale prices, the USDA reports that bird flu continues to spread among poultry farms, with 151 flocks testing positive for the virus in the last 30 days alone. This ongoing spread means that egg supplies remain unpredictable, and it is unclear when they will stabilize. The current state of the egg market has resulted in significant consumer frustration, as shoppers face higher prices and stricter limits on how many eggs they can purchase at a time.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 68 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. to date. While most of these cases have been mild, there has been one reported death—a Louisiana resident over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions. The CDC emphasized that the overall risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus.

Despite the low risk of human infection, the broader economic impacts of bird flu on the egg supply chain continue to be felt. The USDA’s prediction that the shortage will persist for the foreseeable future suggests that egg prices are unlikely to drop anytime soon, and consumers will likely face continued challenges in securing affordable eggs. The ongoing bird flu crisis, compounded by the supply disruptions it has caused, is shaping up to be a significant factor in the price fluctuations of this essential food item for the months ahead.