New USDA forecasts show egg prices are at an all-time high and are expected to get worse for consumers.
USDA's Latest outlook Egg prices are projected to increase by 41% in 2025. This is because a widespread outbreak of bird flu outbreaks continue to destroy flocks of chickens that soak their eggs.
Tuesday's updated forecast is more than twice the 20% jump in egg prices that was projected in 2025 a month ago.
Skleak Outlook comes from the fact that around 18.8 million commercial egg layers were affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in January.
Average price for 12 eggs last month Hit record $4.95starting at $2.52 a year ago. In some places, egg cartons can cost more than $10.
“Egg spray” has led to dramatic measures such as illegally smuggling eggs from Mexico into the United States. Others turn away from the grocery store, Buy chickens in the backyard It produces its own eggs.
Also, major companies are taking steps to combat the rising prices of eggs. Budget-friendly Chain Waffle House has added $0.50 to the egg extra charge on all menus. Denny's is also adding an extra egg charge in some locations due to rising costs.
Meanwhile, grocery stores like Costco and Trader Joe are limiting the number of cartons customers can buy.
For many Americans, egg sticker shock is Fighting inflation It's not finished.
Consumer prices are rising faster than expected in January, with USDA expecting grocery prices to rise 3.3% in 2025, up from last month's forecast of 2.2%.
The optimism is that egg prices are unstable. This means that prices could rush down if the avian flu crisis is controlled.
In January 2023, the price of a dozen eggs surged to $4.82 per dozen, falling to $2.22 in June just six months later.
Broiler chickens raised for meat are hardly violently attacked by the bird flu, like chickens dipped in eggs. The chicken prices were stable For now.
According to the USDA, poultry prices are expected to remain largely unchanged in 2025.
