In the midst of the ongoing avian flu outbreak, American farmers are slaughtering millions of chickens each month, leading to a surge in egg prices across the country. Some regions have seen prices more than double compared to the summer of 2023. With Easter approaching and demand on the rise, there are no signs of relief in sight.
According to reports from The Associated Press, the average price of eggs in the United States reached $4.15 per dozen in December, although lower than the record $4.82 two years ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts prices could rise by another 20% this year. Some consumers in certain areas have already paid more than twice the average price and are even faced with empty supermarket shelves. Organic and cage-free eggs are priced even higher, with some supermarkets limiting the quantity customers can purchase.
The rising egg prices are putting immense pressure on consumers and retailers. Resident Sage Mills from Minneapolis expressed her frustration by saying, “It’s robbery!” Complaining about buying eggs for baking a birthday cake last week, she added, “Eggs used to be a staple for us, but now it seems more cost-effective to eat out.”
President Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt held her first White House press briefing on Tuesday, fielding questions from reporters for over 45 minutes. Topics ranged from the California wildfires, recent deportations of immigrants, to the federal spending freeze.
When asked about the rising egg prices since the end of the Biden administration and the start of the Trump administration, Leavitt responded that the Trump administration should not be held accountable for the increase in egg prices.
She stated that in 2024, egg prices in the U.S. rose by 65%. In recent weeks, egg prices have soared significantly, partly due to the outbreak of avian flu leading to a shortage of egg-laying hens.
Leavitt urged the Senate to take swift action to confirm Trump’s nominees, including the Secretary of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins, to address the egg shortage issue.
The avian flu outbreak in 2022 was a major factor. Once the virus is detected, entire poultry flocks are culled to prevent further spread. Large egg-laying farms typically house over a million chickens, so even a small infection can result in supply shortages. It may take several months to handle the disposal of carcasses, disinfect the facilities, and introduce new poultry flocks. Since the outbreak, over 145 million poultry have been culled, with the majority being egg-laying hens.
Additionally, regulations on cage-free farming in 10 states have impacted supply and prices. These laws require chickens to have minimal space for movement and are currently in effect in states like California, Massachusetts, and Nevada. For example, at a Target supermarket in Chicago, a dozen regular eggs are priced at $4.49, while a dozen cage-free eggs are as high as $6.19.
Avian flu is primarily spread by migrating wild birds such as ducks and geese. The virus can be transmitted through wild bird droppings or contact with domestic poultry, and may also enter farms via shoes, boots, or vehicles. Unlike previous outbreaks, the virus from the 2022 outbreak did not diminish due to high temperatures. The virus even infected dairy cows, increasing the risk of transmission. Over 60 people have been infected with avian flu, with one fatality, and almost all cases were linked to contact with infected poultry, with no current evidence of human-to-human transmission.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $1.14 billion to compensate farmers who suffered losses due to culling poultry, and more than $576 million has been invested to combat the epidemic. Health officials emphasize that no sick poultry or livestock enter the food supply chain, as high-temperature cooking can kill the avian flu virus, and pasteurization of milk can also eliminate the virus.
Farmers are also investing significant funds and time to enhance biosecurity measures. Currently, it is challenging to accurately estimate farmers’ expenditures on measures such as enclosed housing, building showers for workers, or taking other biosecurity precautions.
Turkey farm owner Loren Brey from Minnesota stated, “Over the past five years, our small farm has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars solely on biosecurity measures. Not only that but also the time spent daily on biosecurity.”
Mike Vickers, the manager of Sentyrz Liquors and Supermarket in Minneapolis, mentioned that he can no longer stock organic, cage-free, or brown eggs and can only sell regular large or extra-large eggs. He expressed, “This is the first time in my life that I feel embarrassed about the prices I’m selling eggs for. But it’s not our fault. Today we buy a dozen eggs for $7.45 and sell them for $7.59. Our profit is only $0.14, which is simply not enough to cover expenses.”