A widespread outbreak of H5N1 is disrupting the egg supply and causing egg prices to rise again.
The average cost of a dozen (Grade A) large eggs was $3.20 in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The price of eggs rose 4.8% from July to August. And it’s up 28.1% from where it was a year ago. That’s in contrast to the trajectory of food prices overall, which rose just 0.1% in August.
- The outbreak started in early 2022 and is considered the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history.
- In 2023 prices eased with the number of bird flu cases declined, with no infections reported from May through September.
- Egg producers reported a resurgence of the virus starting in November 2023 and prices have risen about 50% since.
- Grocery stores are warning customers about the limited egg supply, which has led to higher prices.
- In its recent report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that as of August 22 this year, roughly 100 million birds had been affected since January 2022.
- The USDA expects higher prices throughout 2024 than the previous year.