Avian Flu Drives Egg Prices Higher as Holiday Demand Surges

A record bird flu outbreak has reduced egg supplies, pushing prices up by over 30% compared to last year, with further increases expected into 2025.

The ongoing avian flu outbreak, which began in early 2022, has killed nearly 110 million birds, including 75 million egg-laying hens, significantly reducing egg supplies.
Egg prices have risen sharply, with the national average for a dozen eggs reaching $3.37 in October, a 30.4% increase from the previous year, and higher spikes reported in some regions.
Recent outbreaks in key egg-producing states like Oregon, Utah, and Washington led to the culling of 2.8 million hens, exacerbating supply shortages ahead of the holiday season.
Holiday baking and cooking traditions have increased demand for eggs, further straining the already tight supply and contributing to price volatility in grocery stores.
The USDA projects that egg production will remain below normal levels into the first half of 2025, with localized shortages and elevated prices likely to persist.