Egg Prices May Approach Record Highs Due to Bird Flu and Holiday Demand
Egg Prices Soar
The average retail price of eggs in the U.S. has risen 38% since November 2023, according to consumer price index data issued Wednesday. Prices rose 8% last month alone. A carton of a dozen large Grade A eggs cost $3.65 in November, up from $2.14 a year earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bird Flu and Holiday Demand
There are two primary reasons for the surge: bird flu, which has reduced egg supply, and the strong consumer demand that’s typical around the winter holiday season, according to economists and market analysts. "There’s a very real chance we could flirt with record highs" for prices, said Brian Moscogiuri, vice president of Eggs Unlimited, an egg supplier.
How a ‘Serious’ Bird Flu Outbreak is Affecting Egg Prices
Bird flu is a highly contagious and lethal disease among birds, including chickens. The U.S. is in the midst of a "serious outbreak," Moscogiuri said. About 33 million commercial egg layers have been killed by bird flu in 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That has "caused an egg supply shortage," said Ryan Hojnowski, an egg analyst at Expana, an agricultural market research firm.
Thanksgiving, Christmas Holidays Raise Egg Demand
The egg supply shortage is also running headlong into peak season for consumer demand. "Q4 is when we typically see the strongest demand for eggs as consumers tend to bake around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays," Hojnowski said. High demand and reduced supply have combined to lift prices, experts said.
Conclusion
The trajectory of the bird flu outbreak is difficult to predict, experts said. While the current public health risk is "low," the CDC website said, the virus’s staying power is unclear. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday issued a federal order requiring testing of U.S. milk supply for bird flu, to help track and contain the virus.
FAQs
Q: Why are egg prices rising?
A: Egg prices are rising due to a combination of factors, including the highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak and strong consumer demand around the winter holiday season.
Q: How many commercial egg layers have been killed by bird flu in 2024?
A: About 33 million commercial egg layers have been killed by bird flu in 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Q: What is the current public health risk of bird flu?
A: The current public health risk of bird flu is "low," according to the CDC website.
Q: Will egg prices continue to rise?
A: The trajectory of the bird flu outbreak is difficult to predict, experts said. While prices may continue to rise in the short term, the situation may stabilize or improve in the future.
