Remember when egg prices ballooned last year? Now they’ve fallen so low that United States farmers are in crisis

After years of turbulence driven by avian flu outbreaks, egg prices have sharply reduced. The average cost of a dozen eggs at the grocery store is $2.58, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s almost half of what several consumers were paying a year ago. Data from the Consumer Price Index indicates that egg prices declined 34.2% compared with January 2025 and 7% from the prior month. At their peak in March 2025, a dozen Grade A large eggs priced at $6.23.

From Record Highs to Historic Lows

The steep decline follows last winter’s devastating avian flu outbreak, which wiped out approximately 70 million egg-laying hens nationwide. As supply shrank and demand continued to be steady, grocery stores experienced shortages, rationing and skyrocketing prices.


Farmers have since rebuilt their poultry populations with support from the US Department of Agriculture and tighter biosecurity methods. The outcome: an increase in egg supply that has pushed wholesale costs down to almost 92 cents per dozen, the lowest point in three years.

The pace of this turnaround has shocked industry observers. Second-generation farmer Mike Puglisi stated that the change from record highs to current lows has been “remarkable.” With flock sizes restored and fewer recent outbreaks, producers are currently producing more eggs than the market now requires.

Farmers Selling Below Cost

While consumers benefit, producers are facing challenges. Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, stated, “Our farmers have traded one crisis for another.”

According to agricultural economist Jada Thompson at the University of Arkansas, farms generally spend between 98 cents and $1.05 to generate a dozen eggs and that frequently excludes packaging and transport costs, which have increased in the past year. With wholesale prices almost 92 cents, several farmers are operating at a loss.

Puglisi Egg Farms, which generates 486 million eggs every year across Delaware and New Jersey, did not lose birds during last year’s outbreak. Yet even without flock losses, the company is now losing money. For farmers who had to cull birds in 2024, the conditions are even more unstable.

Smaller businesses may be hit hardest. Industry leaders caution that prolonged low costs could force family farms out of business, possibly leading to declined competition and future supply shortages.

Consumer Habits Have Shifted

Ironically, last year’s record-high costs may still be dampening demand. Several shoppers cut back on egg purchases or sought alternatives when prices increased . Agricultural economist Michael Swanson of Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute cited that it may take sustained lower costs to encourage consumers to completely return to previous buying routines.

The Bird Flu Factor

The major cause of the volatility remains H5N1 avian influenza, a highly contagious and often fatal strain that has repeatedly interrupted the U.S. egg availability since early 2022. Under United States Department of Agriculture policy, infected flocks must be culled to prevent spread, rapidly restricting supply.

Although cases are now well below peak levels, avian flu remains to pose a threat. The USDA has committed $100 million toward vaccine research, but poultry vaccination continues to be controversial. Several export markets do not accept vaccinated birds, increasing trade concerns as the United States remains a major poultry exporter.

Tariffs and rising imports of shell and processed egg products could also impact pricing trends in coming months.

FAQs:

Q1. Why have egg prices fallen recently?
Egg supplies have increased after farmers rebuilt flocks affected by avian flu. Higher supply has pushed costs lower at grocery stores.

Q2. How much do eggs cost now?
The average cost of a dozen eggs is $2.58. This is significantly lower than previous year’s peak.