According to the estimates by ABC News, egg prices in the US may skyrocket by 41.1% this year. This dismal forecast alarmed both the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and market analysts, who had initially predicted a surge of around 20%. The USDA’s projections in early 2025 for egg prices had to be upgraded twice due to a nationwide egg shortage that keeps prices at elevated levels.
The main reason behind this surge is the recent outbreak of avian influenza, which wiped out 17.2 million laying hens from November to December 2024. This significant loss in poultry stock has had a direct impact on supply, driving prices even higher.
In January 2025, the average price of a dozen eggs in the US hit $4.95, marking a 13.8% increase in just one month, compared to an 8.4% rise in December 2024. The Department of Agriculture reported that egg prices were already 53% higher in January 2025 than in the same month of last year.
The egg deficit has prompted store managers to impose purchasing limits in several states. For example, Market Basket stores in Massachusetts have introduced a two-carton-per-family purchase limit. However, some states are facing even more severe shortages. Las Vegas residents complain that some grocery stores have completely run out of eggs, leaving empty shelves.
