Egg prices are high and could continue throughout the year

Eating omelets for breakfast or baking a lot? If so, then you’ve probably noticed the higher prices on all those eggs you’ve been buying.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), egg prices increased over the course of 2024 and could continue to increase if an avian flu persists in flocks across the country.

USDA economist Megan Sweitzer said she is expecting egg prices to increase on average by 11.4 percent in 2025. 

“If we continue to see outbreaks (of avian flu) in flocks, then prices could continue to rise,” she said, noting the opposite could happen if outbreaks can be limited. 

President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) Michael Semmann told The Lakeland Times  “the bottom line is there’s three reasons” for increased egg prices.

He said he’s seen egg prices from as cheap as $3 a dozen all the way up to $8 a dozen. 

“You got a really wide variety,” Semmann said. “It really depends. It’s regional and it depends on the grocery store.”

The number one reason egg prices are high right now is because of the avian flu outbreak, he explained. 

“And the farmers are just working their tails off to make sure that everybody’s got supply,” Semmann added. “But this is hard because the avian flu has really evolved.”

Demand is the second reason for the price increase, he said. 

Eggs, Semmann said, have “flew off the shelves” in recent times because of seasonal demand. 

“Also, the surge, I guess you’d say, but the increase in demand for protein, nationally; and eggs are a great source of protein,” he said. “So we’re seeing that. So it’s a short-term and long-term demand.”

The last reason for increased egg prices involves costs “already embedded in the system over the course of the last four years.”

“So kind of the three reasons: avian flu, demand and increased embedded costs over the past four years,” Semmann said. 

Additionally, in an email to the Times, Semmann said egg production in the state is expected to “rebound” in the second half of 2025 “as flocks are rebuilt.”

He was optimistic when talking about the way the industry has responded to the avian flu outbreak so far.

“The industry has responded swiftly to the avian flu outbreak, the largest on record, with measures to protect flocks and restore egg production levels,” he said. “According to the Egg Marketing Board the disease has evolved, and it includes new variables such as changes in flying patterns of birds (producers used to be able to have a measure of predictability with patterns).”

Farmers are also “rising to the challenge,” by managing high costs and maintaining quality and supply, he added.

Noting again the high demand for eggs, Semmann said according to the Egg Marketing Board, the product is currently experiencing “record high demand” and is “approaching a 50-year high for consumption.”

“Retailers are working closely with suppliers to manage availability, ensuring that shoppers can find the products they need while keeping prices in check,” he said. “This situation underscores the need to continually strengthen our food systems, making them more resilient and adaptable to future challenges.”

In conclusion, Semmann said the industry and consumers, with the help of farmers, will get through this.

“The industry is optimistic about overcoming current hurdles, the resilience of the farmers, along with ongoing investments and innovations aimed at delivering stability will ultimately (be of) value to consumers,” he said. 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].