As the Easter and Passover holidays approach, U.S. egg prices are expected to remain high, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warning that prices may “inch back up.” In a recent White House briefing, Rollins explained that the Easter season traditionally brings the highest egg prices due to increased demand during the holiday season. This comes amid an ongoing crisis that has caused a dramatic rise in egg prices over the past year.
The U.S. has been facing significant disruptions in its egg supply, largely due to a series of bird flu outbreaks that started in 2022. These outbreaks have wiped out millions of egg-laying chickens across the country, severely affecting the production of eggs. To combat the crisis, Rollins announced a comprehensive $1 billion plan aimed at tackling the egg shortage and reducing egg prices.
The $1 Billion Strategy to Address the Egg Crisis
Rollins detailed a five-part strategy that includes an investment of $500 million in biosecurity measures to prevent further bird flu outbreaks, $400 million in financial relief for farmers affected by the crisis, and $100 million for vaccine research. The administration is also working on easing regulatory burdens and exploring options for temporary egg imports to meet the demand.
Farmers have welcomed these efforts but pointed out that it will take time for these measures to show significant results. Meanwhile, consumers continue to face challenges in grocery stores where egg prices remain high, and purchasing limits have been placed on egg cartons. Despite a slight easing of prices due to a recent slowdown in demand, experts predict that egg prices will stay elevated for the foreseeable future.
Impact of Bird Flu on Egg Prices
Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Foundation, explained that bird flu continues to be a major factor in the rising price of eggs. Over the past few weeks, new cases of the flu have been reported, which have further strained the already limited supply of eggs. Although demand for eggs has slightly decreased, the overall impact of the ongoing bird flu outbreaks continues to keep prices high.
According to Nelson, the combination of inflation and bird flu has caused egg prices to rise by more than 350% compared to last year. In February, egg prices surged by nearly 59%, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index. This sharp price increase has made eggs significantly more expensive for consumers, although they remain a popular and essential food item, particularly for those seeking an affordable source of protein.
Long-Term Effects of Bird Flu
The avian flu has had a devastating impact on egg production, affecting over 166 million birds, including 127 million egg-laying hens, since 2022. This has led to the loss of approximately 42 million egg-laying hens each year, or about 11% of the total egg-laying population in the U.S. As of February 2025, bird flu has already led to the loss of over 35 million birds, with an additional 12 million birds lost in February alone.
Farmers and experts note that recovering from the effects of these outbreaks will take time. It can take up to a year for farms to clean and raise new chicks to the point where they are ready to start laying eggs. During this period, farms are unable to generate any income, making it a financially challenging time for those affected by the disease. Furthermore, the emotional toll on farm families is significant, as losing an entire flock of birds to the flu is not just a financial loss but a deeply traumatic event.
The Future of Egg Prices
While the measures being taken by the government may help ease the egg crisis in the long run, the immediate future for egg prices remains uncertain. Prices may continue to fluctuate as the supply and demand balance out, but experts predict that it could take several months, or even longer, for prices to stabilize at a more affordable level.
For now, consumers will need to prepare for higher prices at the grocery store, especially during peak times like the Easter holiday. However, with the government’s plan in place and ongoing efforts to control the bird flu outbreaks, there is hope that the situation will improve in the coming months.
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