Associated Press
Egg prices reached a record high in the U.S. last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday.
The latest monthly consumer price index confirmed what consumers, bakers and food companies already knew: an ongoing bird flu outbreak that began in 2022 are making eggs terribly expensive right now.
The average price of a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities reached $4.95 in January, eclipsing the previous record of $4.82 set two years earlier and more than double the recent low of $2.04 that was recorded in August 2023.
Of course, that is only the nationwide average. A carton of eggs can cost $10 or more in some places. And specialized varieties, such as organic and cage-free eggs, are even more expensive.
Prices are only going to get worse. Prices always spike around Easter every year because demand is high around the holiday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted last month that egg prices were likely to go up 20% this year.
And even if consumers can afford eggs, it can be hard to find them at times as some stores have trouble keeping their shelves stocked. Some grocers have imposed limits on how many eggs customers can buy at a time.
The main reason that eggs are more expensive is the bird flu outbreak. When the virus is found on a farm, the entire flock is killed to limit the spread of disease. Because massive egg farms may have millions of birds, just one outbreak may put a dent in the egg supply.
The Agriculture Department says more than 23 million birds were slaughtered last month and more than 18 million were killed in December to limit the spread of the bird flu virus. Those numbers include turkeys and chickens raised for meat, but the vast majority of them were egg-laying chickens.
Egg farmers also face higher feed, fuel and labor costs these days because of inflation. Plus, farmers are investing more in biosecurity measured to try to protect their birds.
Ten states have passed laws allowing the sale of eggs only from cage-free environments. The supply of those eggs is tighter and focused in certain regions, so the effect on prices can be magnified when outbreaks hit cage-free egg farms.
Many of the egg farms with outbreaks were cage-free farms in California. Cage-free egg laws have already gone into effect in California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan.
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Republished with permission from The Associated Press.
10 comments
Michael K
February 12, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Impossible. Dear Leader promised prices would go down on January 21.
Fun fact: president Musk is trying to dismantle every agency that interferes with his business – ie safety pf the self driving cars he’s been promising. He’s also got your personal data now. Happy?
Peachy
February 12, 2025 at 4:58 pm
I like what Musk is doing. So there is a 150 year old still claiming social security. Can’t wait to see what family that is that has been stealing. Then the highly antiquated retirement system for federal employees. It is refreshing to have someone that is exposing the inefficient, bloated, government that the Demos worship. Not a good look watching Maxine Waters and those other goof balls jumping up and down trying to support the waste of taxpayer money. Eggs have been increasing in price since 2022. Let’s give Trump a chance. He has lots to do with the mess Joe and Kammy left him.
Michael K
February 12, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Ever hear of a fact checker? He said stuff with no evidence, no proof. Guess what? There is no $50 million worth of condoms shipped to Africa. Ooops!
JD
February 12, 2025 at 7:32 pm
F@ck Trump. No More chances. He had his chance and ran the country into the ground by not aptly reacting to covid with a coordinated offense.
I cannot believe this country gave him a pass on that job and said “THANK YOU SIR MAY I HAVE ANOTHER” butt whacking with the paddle.
Musk only bought him and Twitter because he needed people out of his businesses. When Musk has zero government contracts, then we believe in his altruism. Until then, his actions are because he’s got skin in the game.
And the propaganda, like you’re spew is the WAY HE WON along with the Republicans cheating – purging rolls, voter laws that make it harder to vote under the guise of “fair elections”. It’s like the vouchers being “for school choice”. It’s all BS.
So why do you lie Peachy? What do you get? You never answer on the lies. Why? You know you are lying and why we think you are a paid shill.
Earl Pitts "Egg Expert" American
February 12, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Good Afternoon America,
Cast all your blaim for pricey eggs upon the “DOOK 4 BRAINS 08IDEN SADMINISTRATION”.
But you can, one and all, very soon “RELAX YOUR SPHINCTERS” as Don “THE DONALD” will soon fix the price of eggs too.
Thank you America,
Earl Pitts “Egg Expert” American
JD
February 12, 2025 at 7:35 pm
Walmart had eggs for $9.49 for a dozen and half here in Florida. Freaking Walmart. And this was their CHEAPEST eggs, not some woke free range organic spa treated chicken eggs. So cut the bullsh!t Shitts.
Trump isn’t going to do shit but enrich himself.
Why do you lie Shitts?
PeterH
February 12, 2025 at 4:08 pm
Eggs are used for baking ….. many food products rely on eggs. Trump has directed government agencies to stop tracking the bird flu. The rising prices and tariffs on Canadian fossil fuels and steel will increase prices on everything. The DOW and international investors (30% of the USA stocks are owned by foreigners) will respond. USA government chaos fuels uncertainty. And uncertainty is an enemy of our economic stability.
Peachy
February 12, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Not one word from you. Not one about the inflation Joe Biden brought to our economy when he was President. Hilarious!!!!
JD
February 12, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Can you actually connect Biden’s policies to inflation?
Which ones are free from the effects of Trump’s massive COVID spending or the supply chain shocks from the pandemic that pushed prices up?
Or what about the Federal Reserve (which isn’t controlled by the president) raising interest rates?
And don’t forget Putin invading Ukraine, was that something Biden asked for?
You’re just pushing propaganda.
Just like Trump, who campaigned on lowering inflation but knew full well he couldn’t control things like the price of eggs.
His tariffs have only made things worse for average Americans, while it doesn’t affect him or his family.
This is just more of the same propaganda.
Michael K
February 12, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Mr. Trump often pulls numbers out of thin air and makes sweeping claims without regard to factual foundations. Likewise, Mr. Trump, the first felon ever elected president, regularly accuses anyone he disfavors of corruption and even criminality without proof. He cites conspiracy theories or distorted assertions to allege misconduct even after they have been debunked.