Egg prices have dropped for the first time since October, down nearly 13 percent.
The average for a dozen right now is a little more than $5, which comes after hitting a record $6.23 in March, and part of that was due to strong Easter demand.
Despite the drop, prices remain 79 percent higher than this time a year ago.
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Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Structural efficiency supports cattle prices and resilience — breaking it risks higher costs and greater volatility.
Rising adoption of GLP-1 drugs may gradually reshape food demand, with potential downstream effects on protein markets and consumer purchasing patterns.
Protein markets are fragmenting. Beef is supply-driven and more structurally expensive, whereas pork and poultry remain price-competitive.
Tight fed supplies shift margin risk to packers, strengthening cattle price leverage but increasing volatility.
Expanding chicken supplies are likely to keep prices under pressure in early 2026 despite steady demand growth.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
Retail pricing confirms tight cattle supplies and supports continued leverage for producers, reinforcing the need for disciplined risk management.
Long-term demand uncertainty is reshaping specialty crop strategies as producers adapt to fewer, older consumers.
