HPAI Woes: Retail egg prices are on the rise again

After months of declining consumer egg prices, buyers could be facing a sharp increase in costs as prices surge upwards once again.

Retail egg prices are on the rise again after a prolonged period of decline, signaling potential challenges ahead for consumers and producers alike.

Last January, egg prices hit a peak of around $4.80 per dozen, driven largely by the widespread impact of High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) on poultry flocks across the nation. The resulting shortage in egg production sent prices skyrocketing.

However, recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals that prices have surged by more than 8% in the past month alone, now averaging $2.92 per dozen compared to $2.28 in February of the previous year.

The current increase in prices can be attributed, in part, to a slightly smaller domestic egg-laying flock, a consequence of the ongoing challenges posed by HPAI. Despite a significant decline in reported cases, the threat of the virus still looms over the poultry industry.

The USDA’s latest report highlights a recent outbreak in South Dakota, where over 31,000 turkeys had to be culled due to the virus. A subsequent case in Oregon affected just ten birds at a single facility.

Related Stories
Trade pacts with Malaysia and Cambodia unlock tariff-free and preferential lanes for key U.S. farm goods, expanding long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.
Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard joins Market Day Report for his insight on the USDA’s plan to strengthen the U.S. beef industry.
Until a phased reopening is inked, plan for tighter feeder availability, firmer basis near border yards, and continued reliance on domestic and Canadian sources.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Bernt Nelson provides an updated outlook on the current U.S. cattle market.
Sen. Roger Marshall explains which types of beef are imported into the United States, how there’s room for new imports, and logical reasons for current high prices.
Record Australian exports and rising U.S. imports reflect continued tight domestic cattle supplies — a reminder that herd recovery remains key to balancing future beef prices.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) discusses the USDA’s new cattle plan, ethanol policy, and the broader challenges ahead for rural America.

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.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Pam Minick, “The American Rancher” focuses on the people and places that make ranching an American lifestyle. This half-hour magazine format series features livestock producers and their ranches, animals, and ranching practices.
For the latest information on how to take your operation from good to great, tune into Ag PhD. The program includes a wide range of agronomic information from how to maximize your fertilizer program & tiling to stopping those yield-robbing insects and crop diseases and more.
RFD-TV is always creating new ways for rural America to educate and to be educated. RURAL AMERICA LIVE, the network’s longest-running self-produced program, is certainly no exception.