The egg prices will be a record high for a while

Cnn
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The Americans can continue to expect high prices for eggs this year, as new estimates show due to the continuing outbreak and inflation of bird flu and inflation.

It is estimated that egg prices in 2025 increase by about 20% compared to about 2.2% for food prices in general, according to the prices of the US Department of Agriculture. Beef, coffee and orange juice are part of food with higher prices, but the eggs are unique by the aggressive stretching of bird flu, which exhausts the supply.

While some countries escape the outbreaks of the previous year, many have reported a revival of the virus, in which around 17.2 million eggs were killed in November and December. According to USDA, this is almost half of all birds killed by the virus in 2024.

The average price of a dozen large eggs in class A in December was $ 4.15, compared to USD 3.65 in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the consumer price index, more than 36% rose by more than 36% in December in December.

“Not the wearer of bad news, but we are there for a while,” said Emily Metz, President and CEO of the American Egg Board. “Until we have time without detection, this very, very narrow egg supply is unfortunately continued.”

According to Metz, the industry has found more than 20 consecutive months of the record demand. The demand that has increased due to the holidays contributes to the Rising costs for eggs.

Some food dealers have limits for the number of eggs that a buyer can buy on a trip. In her egg markets, the USDA said overview that it is an effort to stretch your care, as Metz described: “People start in panic eggs.”

“People recognize the value in eggs, even with a slightly increased price, and also find that eggs are indispensable for their daily life,” said Metz.

As long as the bird flu continues, high prices will also be. In California, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio there are outbreaks, said the USDA. Around 8.3 million birds died in January Because of these outbreaks according to USDA.

Manufacturers and egg wheels have also drastically increased their prices in recent months. In New York, the wholesale price for generous eggs rose to $ 7.24 per dozen, while it rose to $ 6.84 in the middle west. In California, large eggs went back to $ 8.35 per dozen.

This costs food traders who keep prices for record or close records, said the USDA. The outbreaks of bird flu have spread to farms on which birds are raised to lay eggs and violate the population of young birds that have to compensate for the loss of egg sewing.