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Egg prices in the United States have soared to record highs, with consumers paying as much as $10 (₹860) per dozen in some areas due to a severe bird flu outbreak. The surge in prices follows a drastic reduction in egg-laying hens, forcing retailers to impose purchase limits and pushing up food costs nationwide.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of a dozen Grade A eggs reached $4.95 (₹429.91) in January 2025, more than double the $2.04 (₹176.47) recorded in August 2023. The crisis is reminiscent of the 2015 bird flu outbreak, which also caused sharp price hikes.
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak has led to the culling of millions of chickens, drastically reducing egg production. The US Department of Agriculture reported that over 20 million egg-laying hens were culled in late 2024 alone. Even organic and cage-free egg farms have been hit hard, leading to price hikes across all egg categories.
With eggs traditionally being a budget-friendly protein source, the price hike is burdening American households. “We do use eggs a little less often now because of the price,” said Jon Florey, a California resident. “I was going to make a quiche, but I figured I’d do something else.”
Grocery stores are struggling to keep up with demand, leading to empty shelves and purchase limits. The spike in egg prices is also contributing to overall food inflation, as eggs accounted for nearly two-thirds of last month’s increase in food costs.
Industry experts warn that prices may remain high until egg supplies stabilize. Authorities continue to monitor the outbreak while urging poultry farms to implement stricter biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the virus.
