U.S. Egg Prices Surge as Bird Flu Decimates Poultry Flocks

The ongoing avian influenza outbreak has caused widespread culling of chickens, leading to shortages and record-high egg prices, with further increases predicted for 2025.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has killed or led to the culling of over 145 million birds in the U.S. since the outbreak began in 2022, severely disrupting egg supplies.
The average price for a dozen large eggs in the U.S. reached $4.15 in December 2024, a 37% year-over-year increase, with the USDA forecasting prices to rise another 20% in 2025.
Massive U.S. poultry farms, housing millions of chickens, are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks, exacerbating supply chain issues and driving up prices further.
Some grocery stores, including Whole Foods and Lidl, have introduced limits on egg purchases due to shortages, while others have absorbed some cost increases to avoid deterring customers.
Canada’s supply management system and smaller poultry farms have helped stabilize prices there, though experts warn that Canadian egg prices could still increase during high-demand periods like Easter.