Egg Prices Soar as Bird Flu and Corporate Practices Face Scrutiny

Record-high egg prices are attributed to avian flu and alleged price manipulation by major producers, prompting government action and public debate.

Egg prices in the U.S. have reached unprecedented levels, with some areas seeing costs as high as $10 per dozen, driven by avian flu outbreaks and potential corporate price manipulation.
The bird flu has led to the culling of over 166 million poultry since 2022, but experts argue that corporate consolidation and profit-driven practices are also inflating prices beyond necessary levels.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins proposed a $1 billion plan to address the crisis, including increased biosecurity, financial relief for farmers, vaccine research, and regulatory adjustments.
Critics of Rollins' suggestion for Americans to raise backyard chickens cite feasibility issues, including costs, space limitations, and the potential for bird flu transmission in small-scale settings.
Major egg producers like Cal-Maine have seen significant profit increases, sparking calls for federal investigations into potential antitrust violations and price-gouging practices.