Egg prices in the United States are predicted to increase by 41.1% in 2025, according to a report released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins met with poultry farmers and industry leaders focused on avian flu response efforts.
USDA forecasts prices for all food will rise 3.4% this year, up from the expected 2.3% increase last month.
The surge in grocery prices was driven by eggs, which are projected to increase by 41.1% this year, a sharp rise from the previously expected 20.3% increase forecasted last month.
The skyrocketing and volatile egg prices are linked to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has significantly reduced layer flocks and egg production.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that egg prices had continued to surge because “the Biden administration and the Department of Agriculture directed the mass killing of more than 100 million chickens, which has led to a lack of chicken supply in this country, therefore lack of egg supply, which is leading to the shortage.”
Brooke Rollins also blamed the Biden administration for "overregulation" as the reason egg prices are high, and said it will take some time to bring them down.
"President Trump understands the importance of addressing this issue head on, and USDA is taking action to support farmers, strengthen supply chains, and bring egg prices down,” - she said.
Retail egg prices increased by 13.8 percent in January 2025 after rising by 8.4 percent in December 2024, according to Food Price Outlook for 2025.
Egg prices in January 2025 were 53.0 percent higher than in January 2024 and surpassed the previous peak prices in January 2023.
The national average price for eggs hit $4.95 a dozen for shoppers in January, - according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Retail egg prices continue to experience volatile month-to-month changes due to an outbreak of HPAI that began in 2022.
An increasing number of commercial egg layers are being affected by the bird flu outbreak. The report estimated 18.8 million commercial egg layers were affected by bird flu in January, the report stated.
“Offerings are very light to light with little chance for improvement in the near-term as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to impact productive flocks,” the USDA said in the Feb. 14 report.
In response, President Donald Trump has brokered a deal with Türkiye to import 15,000 tons of eggs, offering temporary relief.
Read next
00:58
U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have drawn calls for restraint and diplomacy from global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
13:15
Iran says it is ready to end its retaliatory strikes on Israel, but blames both Tel Aviv and Washington for blocking de-escalation, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging nuclear talks and prolonging the conflict for strategic gain.
07:11
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
04:30
A plane carrying 20 people has crashed in Tennessee, injuring six people but causing no deaths.
23:34
National Guard troops have been sent to Los Angeles after protests erupted over immigration arrests.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment