The price of eggs in the United States has seen a notable decline, dropping approximately 61% since January, when President Donald Trump took office. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that the current national average for a dozen large white shell eggs is $2.52, down from a peak of $6.49 on January 21 and over $8 in early March.
This price decrease coincides with a slight uptick in demand as the Memorial Day weekend approached, although overall demand remains below average, a trend that began during the significant price hikes earlier in the year. A report from Clarify Capital in April revealed that over 30% of Americans had ceased purchasing eggs due to high costs, a behavior that may persist until prices stabilize further.
Factors contributing to the price drop include reduced consumer demand and a decrease in new bird flu cases, which had previously disrupted supply chains. The avian influenza outbreak, which began in 2022, has had a significant impact, affecting over 166 million birds, including approximately 127 million egg-laying hens. This has resulted in an average loss of 42.3 million layers annually, representing about 11% of the average layer inventory.
In light of the ongoing bird flu situation, the U.S. has increased imports of eggs from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea to bolster supply. Despite the recent decline in prices, the USDA projects that egg prices may rise again in 2025, with a potential increase of over 40%. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service continues to monitor the situation, confirming multiple outbreaks in several states.