Retail egg prices have fallen from record highs, but as producers work to rebuild flocks decimated by High Path Avian Flu, USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam says there is still a lot of work to do.
This time of year usually draws the highest demand for eggs both commercially and in the home.
“As we move into this period of strong demand, we are looking at relatively tight supplies of eggs. If we look at the most recent information on table eeg production, we’re down about 6% from where we were a year ago. The egg laying flock is also down. It’s down about 4% from last year,” Shagam said.
Right now the average price for a dozen eggs is around $3.50. Just a year ago the same carton cost about $2.41.
Related Stories
National Pork Producers Council’s Doug Frickey discusses this year’s event and what attendees are seeing on the expo floor.
Declining cases prompt officials to ease nationwide poultry restrictions, though local measures remain available if needed.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA has been preparing for a New World screwworm outbreak for more than a year as officials expand sterile fly production and containment efforts in Texas.
Markets Analysts and Livestock Experts Say Screwworm Adds Costs for Producers, Not Food Safety Risks
A long-running poultry waste lawsuit remains unresolved after a federal judge rejected proposed settlements and appeals followed.
Consumers are watching affordability, but projected beef demand remains strong enough to sustain market attention.
