Egg prices have seen a significant drop following the implementation of a new biosafety initiative by the Trump administration to combat the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has heavily impacted the poultry industry in recent months.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Tuesday morning that the cost of a dozen eggs has decreased by nearly $2 since the Department of Agriculture rolled out its comprehensive response plan. The initiative, which was introduced late last month, includes a $1 billion investment aimed at reducing egg prices and controlling the spread of avian influenza.
Key components of the strategy include the potential importation of up to 100 million eggs from international suppliers, subsidies for enhanced biosecurity measures on poultry farms, and continued research into the effectiveness of preventive vaccines for poultry.
“Our priority is twofold: bringing egg prices down and tackling the avian flu crisis head-on,” Rollins stated during a press briefing. “We’ve already seen positive results, with egg prices dropping by $1.85 on average since the launch of our plan just over a week ago.”
According to the latest USDA data, the average cost of a dozen large white eggs fell to $6.08 as of Tuesday, a notable decline from the peak price of over $8 earlier this month. On Inauguration Day, egg prices stood at $6.27.
A USDA report from February revealed that egg prices had surged by approximately 53% since January 2024, with an increase of nearly 14% from December to January, following an 8% rise from November to December. The sharp price hikes were largely attributed to the widespread culling of approximately 160 million chickens due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak.
Rollins also pointed out that egg prices generally peak during March and April due to increased demand around the Easter holiday season. “This is historically the time when egg prices are at their highest,” she noted, adding that the USDA remains committed to stabilizing the market and ensuring affordability for consumers nationwide.
With ongoing efforts to curb the outbreak and stabilize poultry supply chains, consumers can expect continued improvements in egg pricing as the industry recovers from the avian flu crisis.
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