Egg Prices Surge: Bird Flu and Holiday Demand Drive Up Costs
It’s déjà vu for grocery shoppers, as the price of those Grade A eggs has spiked in recent months, just two years after egg prices soared to record highs.
The Price Surge
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 Outbreak
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 Bird Flu Affects Egg Prices
Now, as in 2022-23, highly pathogenic avian influenza — better known as bird flu — is a big culprit. 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.
Holiday 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," said Ryan Hojnowski, an egg analyst at Expana, an agricultural market research firm. High demand and reduced supply have combined to lift prices, experts said.
Conclusion
The trajectory of the bird flu outbreak is unclear. While experts predict some softening of prices once the holiday season passes, it’s difficult to predict with certainty. For now, egg prices are likely to remain high.
FAQs
Q: What is the main cause of the surge in egg prices?
A: The surge in egg prices is caused by a combination of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) and strong consumer demand during the holiday season.
Q: How many commercial egg layers have been killed by bird flu in 2024?
A: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 33 million commercial egg layers have been killed by bird flu in 2024.
Q: Will egg prices remain high?
A: It’s difficult to predict with certainty, but experts expect some softening of prices once the holiday season passes.
Q: Is there a risk of human infection from bird flu?
A: According to the CDC, there have been recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers, but the current public health risk is "low" as of December 11.
