The US egg industry is facing a crisis with soaring prices due to an outbreak of avian flu, which has infected millions of birds since 2022. The Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced a plan to invest $1 billion in strategies to rein in the rising costs, but experts warn that relief may not come soon.
The pandemic has decimated flocks and constrained supply, driving up prices. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of a dozen eggs in January was $4.95, nearly double the price from a year ago.
Rollins has outlined a “five-pronged strategy” to address the issue, including improving biosecurity on farms, providing financial assistance to farmers, and exploring temporary import options. However, experts say that stopping the spread of bird flu is key to bringing prices under control.
The Trump administration’s plan comes as turkey is set to export 420 million eggs to the US this year, with industry leaders welcoming the focus on egg prices. But they warn that forecasting a timeline for price relief is challenging due to the complexity of the issue.
The government expects egg prices to increase by 41.1% this year, with shell egg shortages impacting most major markets. Restaurants and grocery stores are taking measures to control demand, such as limiting purchases and adding surcharges.
Repopulation of domestic egg-laying hens is a biological process that takes time, said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of agricultural programs at Oklahoma State University. The issue requires a comprehensive response to the ongoing avian flu threat.
The plan aims to improve biosecurity measures on farms and consider vaccine research, but experts caution that the outbreak’s impact will be felt for months to come.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/economy/bird-flu-egg-prices-higher/index.html