US Egg Prices Decline for First Time in Months but Remain Elevated

US retail egg prices saw a notable decline in April, marking the first monthly decrease since October 2024, according to newly released data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPR reports.

Despite the drop, prices remain significantly above historical averages due to lingering effects from a widespread avian flu outbreak.

The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs fell to $5.12 in April, down from a record $6.23 in March. This 12.7% month-over-month decline is the steepest since March 1984. However, prices are still up 79% compared to April of last year, when a dozen eggs averaged $2.86.

The decrease comes as US egg producers begin recovering from the impacts of avian flu, which has wiped out millions of egg-laying hens since early 2022. The disease’s toll on commercial poultry operations has driven supply shortages and pushed prices higher. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there were only three outbreaks reported in April, compared to 12 in March and 59 in February, suggesting the situation may be stabilizing.

David L. Ortega, a food economics and policy professor at Michigan State University, attributed the recent price drop to seasonal trends and fewer recent outbreaks.

“Demand typically eases after Easter, and we’ve seen a slowdown in bird flu cases, both of which are helping to bring prices down,” he said.

Still, Ortega cautioned that the outlook remains uncertain. A resurgence of bird flu could quickly disrupt the supply chain again and reverse recent price relief. Even one outbreak can be highly disruptive, as infected flocks — which may number in the millions — must be culled to contain the virus. Recovery for affected farms can take up to a year.

Efforts to bolster biosecurity and stabilize prices are ongoing. The US Department of Agriculture announced a $1 billion investment in February to help farmers enhance disease prevention measures. Additionally, egg imports from countries including South Korea, Turkey, and Brazil have surged, with volumes up 77.5% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

The industry is also facing scrutiny. Cal-Maine Foods, the largest US egg producer supplying about 20% of the nation’s eggs, confirmed it is under investigation by the US Department of Justice’s antitrust division. The Mississippi-based company recently reported that its net income more than tripled to $508.5 million in its fiscal quarter ending March 1.