The average price of a dozen eggs in the UK has surged by nearly 30 pence since October, as the spread of bird flu across US poultry flocks drives up global costs. UK egg production has fallen 4% compared to last year, with the laying hen flock down 3% to 315 million birds, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Wholesale prices for large eggs in the Midwest reached $5.57 per dozen on Wednesday, up 150% from a year ago and surpassing the previous record of $5.46 set in December 2022. In California, where cage-free regulations apply, a dozen eggs now costs a record $8.85, leading some stores to limit purchases.
The UK's egg price index shows a 37.5% increase year-on-year, far outpacing overall food price inflation of 2.4%. The rise is attributed to smaller hen flocks as producers struggle to recover from bird flu losses over the past two years, compounded by holiday demand.
Bird flu has killed 35 million egg-laying hens in the US this year, with nearly half of those deaths occurring in the last three months. In Iowa, the top egg-producing state, workers began culling 4.2 million hens this month after a positive test.
The USDA has lowered its forecasts for egg production and exports in 2025 while raising its price outlook. US farmers have called for vaccinations against bird flu, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that widespread vaccination is not possible in the short term due to potential trade barriers.
