Overview

• Egg prices have surged nearly 40% over the past year, with USDA economists predicting an additional 11.4% increase in 2025 due to the avian flu outbreak.
• More than 20 million egg-laying chickens were lost in the fourth quarter of 2024, with over 18.2 million birds affected in December alone, further straining supply chains.
• Grocers and restaurants are grappling with whether to pass rising costs onto consumers, with some opting to absorb the financial hit to maintain customer loyalty.
• Retail egg prices vary widely across the U.S., with some stores charging over $6 per dozen, while others, like LaBonne's Markets in Connecticut, are keeping prices lower to support customers.
• Efforts to control the bird flu include government funding for vaccine trials and industry calls for patience as supply recovery could take months.