Egg prices may not stabilize until late summer, USDA analysts warn

Egg prices have hit consumers hard in recent weeks, and those increases caught the attention of the White House and led to a billion-dollar plan from USDA.

While wholesale prices are down significantly in the last month, USDA analysts say the data is still playing catch up, and it could be some time before anyone feels relief.

“So we’re really incorporating that into the new forecast. It suggests egg production is tightening up by about 75 million dozen relative to where we were in February, so that’s tighter production really through the third quarter of this year, where after that we would expect it to rebound, assuming no new cases of HPAI,” said Mark Jekanowski.

Egg prices are off the highs we saw a couple of weeks ago, but Jekanowski says the market is still very volatile. USDA has wholesale prices this week for large white eggs at $4.15 per dozen.

Related Stories
Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share practical health and safety guidance for managing respiratory and skin health during the winter season.
Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
NASDA declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. President Amanda Beal joins us to share NASDA’s new hub, which highlights the impact of women in agriculture worldwide.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

AFBF Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis, Dr. John Newton, explains the factors contributing to the growing financial strain in the ag sector and the urgent need for swift economic support.
Tyson’s Nebraska plant closure and falling Cattle on Feed numbers send cattle markets tumbling. Analysts warn of tighter supplies, weak margins, and rising global competition.
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
One trader said the products entering the U.S. are primarily grind and trim, noting that the volume and type of beef, on its own, should not cause a major disruption. However, he says fund traders are reacting heavily to headlines rather than market realities.
Olivia Bury, AgriSafe Network Behavioral Health Coordinator, shares about AgriSafe Network’s resources created to support farmers and rural Americans.
Jael Cruikshank, the newly elected Western Region Vice President, shares her story on this week’s FFA Today.