Egg Price Pushback: White House responds to high egg prices

The Trump Administration is taking a close look at mass cullings in the poultry sector, and it comes as egg prices soar.

Nationwide, the average price per dozen hit more than $4 in December, and USDA predicts prices will rise another 20 percent this year, according to AP News.

During the first press briefing of this Administration, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters they are already looking at policy changes.

“We have also seen that the cost of everything, not just eggs – bacon, groceries, and gasoline – has increased because of the inflationary policies of the last administration. As far as the egg shortage, what’s also contributing to that is the Biden Administration and the Department of Agriculture directed the mass culling of more than 100 million chickens, which has led to a lack of chicken supply in this country, therefore, a lack of egg supply, which is leading to the shortage. I will leave you with this point: this is an example of why it’s so incredibly important that the Senate moves swiftly to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees, including his nominee for the United States Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who is already speaking with Kevin Hassett, who is leading the economic team here at the White House, on how we can address the egg shortage in this country.”

RFD-TV has asked USDA when Rollins might be confirmed by the full Senate, and they do not have a date for that.

Related Stories
The Louisiana cotton crop is the smallest on record, but strong yields are a silver lining. LSU AgCenter’s Craig Gautreaux reports from northeast Louisiana.
Using FEMA and USDA data, Trace One researchers estimate average annual U.S. agricultural losses of $3.48 billion, with drought accounting for more than half.
Soybean farmer and Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge highlights why the U.S. trade standoff with China is especially critical for Arkansas producers.
NEFB President Mark McHargue provides an update from the Husker State, where farmers are working hard to bring in one of the largest harvests in recent years.
Todd Miller, CEO of Head Honchos, shares about his business offering to ease agricultural labor shortages.
Having a good read on fuel prices is a must during harvest, but one analyst says grain farmers should also be watching the crude oil markets.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Livestock Conservancy joins us in the RFD-TV Studio to discuss how protecting heritage-breed poultry is essential to resilient food systems and the preservation of agricultural traditions.
Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joins Tony St. James to discuss the geopolitical tensions and U.S.-Mexico border closure that are leading to sharp swings in the cattle market.
Arizona producers are proving that desert farming and water conservation can coexist through technology, reuse, and efficiency — reinforcing both food security and environmental stewardship.
Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA), shares his reaction to news of soybean sales to China, which is considered both “welcome news” and a return to near-normal trade relations.
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses key outcomes from the U.S.-China trade agreement and the benefits of expanding trade across Southeast Asia.