Bird flu hits US egg market: rising prices and empty shelves

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 01. 28. 10:16

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The US egg market has been severely affected by the bird flu epidemic that began in 2022, which is causing serious challenges not only for producers but also for consumers. The epidemic has led to the slaughter of millions of chickens, resulting in significant shortages and price increases. Prices may continue to rise as the Easter season approaches as demand increases – writes Pénzcentrum.

Increasingly expensive eggs: an increasing burden on consumers

According to the Department of Agriculture, in December 2024, American consumers paid an average of $4.15 (~1,630 HUF) for a dozen eggs. Although this is lower than the peak of $4.82 (~1,890 HUF) recorded in 2022, prices are expected to increase by another 20% this year. In some states, egg prices are already double the national average, and in many places, consumers are faced with empty shelves.

Impact of bird flu on production

In the event of a bird flu outbreak, the entire flock of infected farms must be culled to prevent the virus from spreading. Since a large farm can have more than a million laying hens, an infection can quickly cause a national supply problem. More than 145 million birds, mostly laying hens, have had to be culled since the outbreak began.

To make matters worse, it takes months to replace the flock. Destroying dead birds, disinfecting barns and restocking them is a time-consuming process that can lead to significant production losses.

Impact of cage-free egg laws

Further pressure is being placed on producers by cage-free egg laws, which have already been enacted in ten US states. These laws require chickens to have minimal space and better living conditions, which increases production costs. Organic and cage-free eggs are therefore priced even higher than conventional eggs.