Long-term pricing projections suggest egg prices could stay high permanently as far as 2025 is concerned. The high egg costs have been mainly tied to inflation and the supply chain issues following the recent avian flu outbreak. Between October and December 2024, the price of eggs rose from $3.30 to $4.15 for a dozen crates of A-graders. This data is from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Unfortunately, the high egg cost narrative will likely worsen as the new year unfolds. Egg consumers are told to brace for buying crates containing a dozen eggs for as much as $12 in February 2025.
According to the CDC and USDA, new cases of avian flu emerged in almost 25 states in January. The poultry industry’s losses are so catastrophic that some farms have had to humanely slaughter every bird in their inventory. For example, a Frankfort, Illinois, farm had to kill approximately 3,000 laying birds. This desperate action became necessary to prevent the disease from spreading to other farms.
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Eggflation is Upon Us
On Long Island, New York, Crescent Duck Farm is warming up to kill its entire flock, amounting to approximately 100,000 ducks. This loss is enough to put the New York farm out of business. Bird flu has been wreaking havoc since 2022, with over 135 million avian casualties.
Looking at how the avian influenza outbreak of 2025 plays out, egg prices could stay high permanently. Experiences during previous flu outbreaks coupled with the biting inflation may wipe out the income and the very survival of many poultry industry stakeholders. As if the poultry production challenges, supply chain issues, and lethargic consumer behavior due to soaring food prices are not enough, there are reports that there are incidences of viral infection in order animals.
How the Outbreak May Affect Consumer Behavior
Consumer behavior and demand for avian products are rapidly changing and affecting market trends. Market trends are rattling sales for poultry farms still keeping safe from the viral bird flu. Without mincing words, some folks are afraid that the bird flu may affect humans.
Few instances of avian influenza in bears, skunks, and cows have been reported. However, more than a score of cat cases have been reported. So, it is reasonable for cat owners to be concerned, as these pets are clingy creatures. Interestingly, the Food and Drug Administration has allayed fears that bird flu poses a serious threat to humans.
Evan Antin, a veterinarian, suggested that cats’ standard hot zones are when they encounter wildlife or eat raw food.
Should We Take the FDA’s Word for It?
So far, in 2025, bird flu has infected well over 20 humans in 10 Spangled Banner states and even had a stint in Canada. However, there is only one reported fatality in this lot, a Louisiana patient who passed in early January.
The state of Louisiana has issued a warning to residents about the potential incidence of bird flu in local cattle herds.
The Louisiana human fatality of bird flu was reported to have had contact with a backyard flock of wild birds. Nonetheless, the FDA has reassured the American populace that it is very unlikely for eggs from infected birds to find their way to store shelves.
Egg Prices Could Stay High Permanently? Till When Please?
Due to egg production challenges, supply chain issues, and the apparent impact of inflation, the product’s scarcity seems to keep escalating. This is expected to bite even harder in the coming months. Consequently, high egg costs are bound to persist. Similarly, the long-term pricing of eggs will likely peak relative to other food prices.
In December alone, the US lost a little over 13 million birds due to the bird flu outbreak. Some of the lost birds are
Nonetheless, the agency discourages consumers from introducing raw food materials into already-processed foods. Another disclaimer is to heat eggs and egg products to safe cooking temperatures before eating.
The drop in poultry egg output is one of the economic factors causing the poultry industry’s current inflation. According to the latest USDA Egg Markets Overview, the ensuing outbreak is making long-term pricing bleak as farmers “Struggled to provide a consistent supply to consumers.”
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Again, egg prices could stay high permanently if the spread of the viral bird infection does not wane soon. Most poultry farmers prioritize staying in business during such times, over populating store shelves with products. So, we can only look for metrics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and USDA on how the poultry industry is faring. Then, we can use economic factors to decide whether to resume stocking eggs or steer clear indefinitely.