US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs
Retail egg prices in the United States saw a decline in April after reaching record highs earlier in the year, with the cost of a dozen Grade A eggs dropping by 12.7% to $5.12. Despite this decrease, prices remain significantly higher than previous years due to an ongoing bird flu outbreak that has drastically reduced egg-laying hen populations. Compared to April of the previous year, egg prices are still 79% higher, illustrating the severe impact of avian influenza on egg supply. The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of over 169 million birds since early 2022, with recent incidents in Ohio and South Dakota affecting over 927,000 hens. The situation remains precarious as the industry grapples with balancing supply disruptions and consumer demand, particularly around peak times like Easter and Passover.
Context:
Retail egg prices in the United States saw a decline in April after reaching record highs earlier in the year, with the cost of a dozen Grade A eggs dropping by 12.7% to $5.12. Despite this decrease, prices remain significantly higher than previous years due to an ongoing bird flu outbreak that has drastically reduced egg-laying hen populations. Compared to April of the previous year, egg prices are still 79% higher, illustrating the severe impact of avian influenza on egg supply. The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of over 169 million birds since early 2022, with recent incidents in Ohio and South Dakota affecting over 927,000 hens. The situation remains precarious as the industry grapples with balancing supply disruptions and consumer demand, particularly around peak times like Easter and Passover.
Dive Deeper:
The U.S. egg market experienced a decline in retail prices in April, marking the first monthly decrease since October 2024, with the average price per dozen dropping to $5.12. This decline follows record-high prices earlier in the year, driven by the impacts of a severe bird flu outbreak.
Despite the recent decrease, egg prices remain close to historic highs, with the April price being 79% higher than the same month last year. This significant increase is attributed to the continued impact of avian influenza, which has severely disrupted the supply of egg-laying hens.
The bird flu outbreak, ongoing since early 2022, has led to the culling of over 169 million birds to prevent the disease's spread, heavily affecting the egg industry. When a bird is infected, entire flocks are culled, causing substantial reductions in egg production capacity.
In April, particularly devastating outbreaks in Ohio and South Dakota resulted in the loss of more than 927,000 egg-laying hens, further straining the already limited egg supply. These outbreaks highlight the ongoing challenges the egg industry faces in managing the disease.
Consumer demand for eggs typically increases around holidays such as Easter and Passover, which can complicate predictions about price movements. The elevated demand during these periods adds pressure to an already strained supply chain, making price stabilization efforts more challenging.