The average price for 12 eggs in US cities reached a record of $4.95 last month. Data released on Wednesday According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The large egg, a Grade A price tag, surpassed the previous record set in January 2023 at $4.82. Last December, the same egg carton averaged back consumers to $4.15.
The rise in egg prices comes amidst the outbreak of avian flu, which has caused the deaths of more than 100 million egg-selling chickens. Experts said in January that egg prices could rise by up to 20% in 2025. Every time a virus is discovered on a bird farm, it usually requires killing all birds.
Another factor that raises costs, such as Oregon, Washington and California, is that some states require that eggs in the store be cage-free.
Egg prices rose 15.2% last month. In some places, including California, cartons cost $9 north.
“This is the biggest increase in the egg index since June 2015, accounting for about two-thirds of all monthly food at home,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. I wrote in Wednesday's news release.
Earlier this month, Livebird Markets in New York City and surrounding counties were closed after seven cases of bird flu were detected.
“Public health protection is proactive and New York is continuing its coordinated efforts to monitor the flu in birds,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D.
Apart from eggs, the food index for January rose by 0.4%. Meat, chicken and fish increased by 1.9% in January.
