In April, retail egg prices in the US experienced a drop for the first time in several months, although they’re still significantly higher compared to last year.
The average cost for a dozen Grade A eggs decreased by 12.7% to settle at $5.12, as noted in the consumer price index.
This marks the first fall in prices since October 2024.
However, prices are still 79% above what they were at this time last year, as flocks nationwide continue to recover from a severe bird flu outbreak.
When bird flu strikes, whether on large farms or smaller operations, it spreads quickly, leading producers to cull entire flocks. Since early 2022, over 169 million birds have perished, causing egg prices to peak at a staggering $6.23 in March.
Reports indicate at least ten outbreaks, including significant ones in South Dakota and Ohio, impacting flocks of 633,900 and 293,300 birds, respectively.
Fortunately, recent weeks have shown a slowdown in outbreaks, which could help bring prices down further.
According to food science consultant Brian Kuok Lu, the situation is compounded by a reliance on imported agricultural equipment, cages, and bird feed from countries like Russia and Ukraine. The 90-day suspension of tariffs initiated last month by the White House likely contributed to the price changes.
There are indications that major egg producers might face more scrutiny from the Department of Justice, as noted in a recent Wall Street Journal article.
As one expert remarked, with so few egg producers in the market, there’s a tendency to align prices closely. “If one decides to increase prices, the others may feel compelled to follow suit,” he pointed out.
