The cost of eggs has skyrocketed by nearly 37% in the past year, reaching record highs due to a combination of factors including the devastating impact of bird flu and new cage-free regulations.
Consumers purchasing their daily breakfast staples might observe a noticeable increase in their grocery store bills. The Consumer Price Index reveals a stark reality: egg prices have surged by 36.8% compared to the same period last year. In December, the average price for a dozen Grade A large eggs reached $4.15, a nearly $2 jump from the $2.51 per dozen recorded in December 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This significant price hike is attributed to several factors, with the recent bird flu outbreak being a primary culprit. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has either directly or indirectly resulted in the death of over 20 million egg-laying hens in the last quarter of 2024, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farms are mandated to cull all birds within an infected flock, inflicting a devastating blow to the egg industry. The impact extends beyond bird flu. New cage-free laws implemented in states like Michigan at the beginning of the year are also contributing to the price surge. While Michigan lawmakers amended the Animal Industry Act in 2019, the law took effect at the start of 2025, requiring sold shell eggs to originate from cage-free housing systems. The law further prohibits the sale of eggs from egg-laying hens lacking adequate floor space or those confined to restricted areas. These factors have led to predictions that the average price of a dozen large eggs could soar to nearly $5 by the end of 2025, marking the highest-ever recorded average price for a dozen eggs, according to Fox News Digital. The price of eggs in California has already reached nearly $9 per dozen in certain areas. The highest price recorded previously was in January 2023, when the average price of a dozen large eggs stood at $4.82. However, the price subsequently dropped to just over two dollars. To mitigate the rising costs, experts recommend purchasing eggs in bulk and diligently comparing prices across different retailers. For the latest updates on this unfolding story, visit FOXBusiness.com
EGG PRICES INFLATION BIRD FLU CAGE-FREE LAWS CONSUMER PRICES
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