Egg prices to remain high in 2025 due to avian flu

2025-01-26 12:00:49.343

Americans can expect high egg prices to persist throughout 2025, with estimates indicating a 20% price increase compared to a general 2.2% rise in food prices. The ongoing avian flu outbreak is the primary cause, significantly impacting egg supply. While some states initially escaped the outbreaks, many are experiencing a resurgence, resulting in the deaths of approximately 17.2 million egg-laying hens in November and December 2024 alone—nearly half the total avian flu-related deaths for the year. The average price of a dozen large, grade-A eggs reached \$4.15 in December, a 36% year-over-year increase. The American Egg Board CEO, Emily Metz, predicts that high prices will continue until the avian flu is eradicated. Record-high demand, exacerbated by the holidays, further contributes to the rising costs. Grocers are implementing purchase limits to manage dwindling supplies, and wholesale egg prices have drastically increased across various regions. The avian flu's impact extends beyond immediate losses, hindering the replenishment of the egg-laying hen population. Outbreaks continue in several states, including California, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, with 8.3 million bird deaths reported in January alone.