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6h ago

U.S. Egg Prices Drop Sharply, But Remain Well Above Pre-Crisis Levels

April saw a 12.7% decline in retail egg prices, the steepest monthly drop since 1984, as bird flu cases eased and supply began to stabilize.

Cashier Josh Jimenez rings up egg for sale at a grocery store on February 7 in Dallas.
A woman shops for eggs at a Costco store on April 28, 2025 in Alhambra, California.
FILE - A shopper checks eggs before he purchases at a grocery store in Glenview, Ill., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Overview

  • Retail egg prices fell to an average of $5.12 per dozen in April, down from a record high of $6.23 in March, marking the first monthly decline since October 2024.
  • Despite the drop, prices remain 79% higher compared to the same month last year, reflecting ongoing supply challenges caused by the avian flu epidemic.
  • The avian flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has killed over 169 million birds, severely impacting egg supplies and requiring lengthy recovery periods for affected farms.
  • Government measures, including a $1 billion USDA biosecurity initiative and a 77.5% increase in egg imports in early 2025, have contributed to easing supply pressures.
  • The Department of Justice continues to investigate major egg producer Cal-Maine Foods for potential antitrust violations, as analysts caution that price relief may be temporary given market volatility.