Overview

• Over 35 million birds have been culled in 2025 alone due to avian influenza, significantly reducing the U.S. egg-laying flock and driving up prices.
• Egg prices have risen dramatically, with projections suggesting costs could reach nearly $10 per dozen by the end of the year, fueled by supply shortages and market dynamics.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture has introduced a $1 billion plan including biosecurity measures, financial relief for farmers, and vaccine research, but implementation will take time to stabilize supply and prices.
• Critics, including lawmakers and consumer advocates, allege potential price gouging by major egg producers, with a Justice Department investigation underway into antitrust practices.
• Experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions, such as improved biosecurity, smaller farming operations, and poultry vaccination, to mitigate future outbreaks and stabilize the market.