Why Egg Prices are So High — and Will Likely Get Higher
The Current State of Egg Prices
Empty shelves and higher prices — that’s what many shoppers are finding when they head to the grocery store to buy eggs. Egg prices have been soaring recently. The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs has risen from about $3.30 in October to $4.15 in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s not unheard of for a dozen eggs to cost as much as $12 — or a dollar an egg — as the calendar prepares to flip into February 2025.
Why the Eggflation?
It comes down to a nationwide outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu. New cases of bird flu have emerged in nearly 25 states this month, according to the USDA and the CDC. Amid the current outbreak, some farms have had to euthanize their entire populations of birds to contain the spread of the disease — including Kakadoodle Farm in Frankfort, Illinois, which recently made the decision to kill nearly 3,000 hens.
“Crescent Duck Farm in Long Island, New York also said it would be forced to kill its flock of nearly 100,000 ducks, and is facing going out of business,” said Michael Swanson, a Wells Fargo economist. “Once one bird gets the flu, they all get taken out in short order.”
When Will Egg Prices Go Down?
With avian flu cases on the rise in recent months, egg prices at the grocery store are not likely to plummet anytime soon. In fact, they will likely get higher. Since December, more than 13 million birds have been lost nationwide due to outbreaks of avian flu, resulting in “record-high” prices as egg producers “struggled to provide a consistent supply to consumers,” according to the latest USDA Egg Markets Overview.
To deal with shortages, many grocery stores are setting limits per shopping trip on egg buying, and are posting signs warning consumers about egg shortages, the USDA said.
Does Bird Flu Affect Humans?
Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans, according to the Food and Drug Administration, but occasional human infection can occur. This year, it has infected dozens of people in 10 states and spread to Canada. A patient in Louisiana with a severe case of the bird flu died earlier this month after coming into contact with non-commercial backyard flocks and wild birds, according to a release from the Louisiana Department of Health.
In December, California declared a state of emergency over the spread of the virus in its dairy cows. The FDA also says the likelihood of eggs from infected birds reaching store shelves is low. Still, the agency recommends cooking eggs to a safe temperature and avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
Conclusion
The current bird flu outbreak is having a significant impact on the egg industry, leading to higher prices and shortages. With no end in sight to the outbreak, it’s likely that egg prices will continue to rise. Consumers can expect to see limits on egg buying and signs warning of shortages at grocery stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will egg prices ever go back to normal?
A: It’s unlikely that egg prices will return to normal until the bird flu outbreak is brought under control.
Q: Can I still buy eggs safely?
A: Yes, the FDA recommends cooking eggs to a safe temperature and avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
Q: Is it safe to eat eggs from infected birds?
A: No, the FDA says the likelihood of eggs from infected birds reaching store shelves is low, but it’s still possible. It’s best to cook eggs to a safe temperature and avoid cross-contamination.
