Egg prices in the United States have declined significantly over the past few weeks, with wholesale prices falling to $3.00 a dozen, a 9% reduction from the last week. The move comes after President Donald Trump claimed egg prices have dropped by 59%, citing the strategic action of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins as the reason for the change. Although the President’s statement seems hyperbolic, the declining trend is certain, and it is driven by the slowdown of the avian flu outbreak and a calmed supply chain.
Effects of Avian Flu on Egg Prices
The avian flu outbreak that started in 2022 had a devastating impact on the American poultry sector. Over 156 million birds, comprising 145 million chickens and turkeys, were slaughtered to stop the outbreak of the virus. This extreme decline in egg-laying hens saw a colossal price surge, with eggs going as high as an average of $5.90 per dozen by February 2025. Businesses and consumers were hit with soaring costs, and the shortage provided solutions in the form of artificial egg alternatives.
Poultry Industry Recovery and Supply Boost
With decreasing cases of avian flu, poultry farms are slowly coming back on track. Farmers are restocking their birds, resulting in better production and higher availability of eggs. Grocery store shelves that were previously empty due to shortages and purchase limitations are now filled to capacity. Stew Leonard, Jr., owner of a major grocery chain, attested that supply is increasing, paving the way for prices to normalize.
Government Interventions and International Imports
At the height of the crisis, the U.S. attempted to import eggs from Poland, Finland, and Denmark but were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, South Korea and Turkey filled the gap and supplied eggs to ease the domestic shortage. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was central in brokering these imports, which allowed millions of eggs to flood into the U.S. market and cut costs. This step played a crucial role in managing price surges and averting more supply disruptions.
Retail Prices vs. Wholesale Prices
While prices of eggs at the wholesale level have registered considerable drops, retail prices have not caught up so quickly. This is because of prevailing contracts, stockpiles, and distribution systems that hold up instant price change at the consumer level. As per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), egg product manufacturers are taking advantage of the sluggish carton market to ramp up production, hitting a three-month high. Consequently, consumers will see retail prices reflect wholesale falls in the following weeks.
Market Outlook and Consumer Benefits
With supply continually on the rise and demand stabilizing, more declines are anticipated. Industry insiders recommend that egg prices should continue to drop unless another avian flu outbreak hits. This is a welcome respite to consumers and companies that have grappled with higher prices for the last several years.
Conclusion
The latest drop in egg prices gives credit to the strength of the poultry industry and the success of intervention measures. Although Trump’s 59% assertion might have been overstated, the declining price trend is real and gives consumers a respite. The interplay of rebounding domestic production and higher imports has contributed significantly to supply stabilization.
As the industry moves further into recovery, consumers can expect more stable pricing and better availability, relieving the financial burden brought about by past shortages and price increases. In the future, attention will continue to be on tracking avian flu updates and maintaining sustainable poultry farming methods to avoid future interruptions. It will be interesting to see how poultry farming scales in the near future in the USA.
