Eggs Unlimited Vice President of Brian Moscogiuri explains why egg prices continue to skyrocket as the outbreak of avian flu slows production.
In a Primetime speech heading to Congress on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump outlined his plan to fight what is called “inflationary nightmares” that affect American families, particularly highlighting the rising costs of eggs and energy.
“We were suffering from the worst inflation of 48 years, but perhaps in our country's history,” Trump said. “As president, I fight every day to reverse this damage and make America affordable again.”
Americans are trying to raise their own chickens amid the national lack of eggs
Trump said egg prices have become “out of control” and his administration is “working hard to get it back.” Prices for 12 eggs currently average around $5.00 or even higher in some areas.
Additionally, according to the Ministry of Agriculture's Food Outlook from the Economic Research Services (ERS), retail prices will continue to rise, rising 41.1% in 2025 due to the compound effect of consecutive outbreaks.
Eggs are believed to be empty shelves in some markets due to the Egg Crisis in Virginia, USA on February 12, 2025. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
He held responsibility for the previous administration, claiming that “their policies have raised energy prices, boosted the costs of food, and pushed the necessities of life out of reach for millions of Americans.”
Shelves filled with regular egg cartoons at Whole Foods stores in New York City, (Fox Business)
The president argued that “one of his greatest priorities is to save our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief from working families.”
US consumer sentiment is plunging into worrying about prices due to inflation and tariffs
U.S. consumer trust slumped sharply last month after inflation rose 3% a year in January. However, egg prices, in particular, have been a major problem for consumers as the industry is tackling the ongoing avian flu outbreak.
last month, US Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins has announced “Five Strategies” aimed at controlling the increase in the outbreak of avian influenza that began in 2022. It then destroyed herds across the country, causing a major shortage in US egg supply, and raised prices.
The sign at Whole Foods Store in New York City tells customers that egg purchases need to be restricted. (Fox Business / Fox News)
Egg prices skyrocketed 15.2% in January, according to the Labor Bureau's Consumer Price Index. This is the biggest rise in egg prices since June 2015, accounting for almost two-thirds of the monthly total rise in food prices. Egg prices rise by 53% each year.
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Austin, Texas – June 20: Transmission towers can be seen on June 20, 2023 near the Austin Energy/Sandhill Energy Center in Austin, Texas. Extreme temperatures across the state have prompted the National Weather Service to issue excessive heat warnings ((Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Another focus of the administration is to “rapidly reduce energy costs.” Trump said his administration plans to reopen many of the 100 closed power plants and build new pipelines.
“My administration is also working on Alaska's huge natural gas pipeline, spending trillions of dollars in Alaska, the world's largest Alaska, where Japan, South Korea and other countries want to be our partners.
