US Egg Prices Plummet 60% Ahead of Easter, Easing Consumer Burden
US egg prices have fallen by 60% from the record highs observed last year, providing significant relief for consumers as they prepare for Easter baskets and Passover Seder plates. This dramatic decline marks a stark contrast to the elevated retail prices that plagued the first five months of 2025, primarily due to a severe bird flu outbreak.
Bird Flu Impact and Recovery Efforts
The highly contagious avian influenza forced farmers and commercial producers to cull entire flocks of egg-laying hens earlier in the year, severely disrupting supply. However, as cases ebbed in the latter half of 2025, egg supplies began to recover, according to Mark Jordan, executive director of agricultural research firm LEAP Market Analytics.
Despite the ongoing threat, with infected commercial flocks rising in March, farmers have been rapidly replenishing their stocks. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the number of egg-type chicks hatched in the US increased by 8%, representing the first sustained and substantial boost in availability since the outbreak began in 2022.
Factors Driving Price Reductions
Jordan highlighted that the Trump administration's decision to import nearly 1 billion eggs last year played a crucial role in lowering prices, although imports have since returned to more normal levels. Additionally, reduced US egg exports helped bolster domestic supplies, further contributing to the price drop.
Challenges for Farmers Amid Plummeting Prices
While consumers benefit from lower costs, farmers face significant hardships. Many are struggling to recoup production expenses as egg prices fall, often selling at or below cost. Emily Metz, president and CEO of the America Egg Board, noted that volatility is inherent in the business, but recent months have been particularly tough, exacerbated by rising feed costs due to the Iran war.
Key Statistics on US Egg Prices and Production
- $2.50 per dozen: Average US price for a dozen eggs in February.
- $6.23 per dozen: Average US price for a dozen eggs in March 2025, an all-time high.
- 315.8 million: Number of egg-laying hens in the US as of March 1, an 8% increase from last year.
- 45 million: Number of egg-laying hens in Iowa, the top US state for egg production.
- 205.7 million: Total chickens and birds in commercial and backyard flocks culled due to bird flu since February 2022.
- 5.22 million: Birds affected by bird flu in March 2026, more than double the March 2025 figure.
- 657%: Increase in US shell egg imports in 2025 compared to the previous year.
- $1.05: Average production cost per dozen eggs for farmers, excluding labor and transportation.
- 40,000: Real eggs to be used in this year's White House Easter Egg Roll.
