At left, a chef cooks up eggs for an order. Opposite, an eggs-shortage sign at WinCo Foods in Ventura, California on Dec. 29, 2024, addressing how the bird flu has sent egg prices rising.
© Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images + © Tom Kisken / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Washington, DC) – According to experts, egg prices are set to skyrocket even higher. The breakfast staple has seen prices soar as a result of the bird flu — and the resulting killing of thousands of hens. Now, the US Department of Agriculture predicts egg prices will rise a whopping 41% this year alone.
In addition to the rising prices, an egg shortage has been observed amid the bird flu outbreak. This latest projection is over double the price increased predicted by the USDA last month. At present the average price for a dozen eggs checks in at $4.95 — but shoppers have reported paying $10 or higher.
Some are even considering buying chicks and raising backyards flocks to try and alleviate egg prices. But experts warn it might not grant the savings you envision. Gary Joiner is with the Texas Farm Bureau. He says when adding up chicken feed, the cost of the coop, and the time it takes to harvest eggs — plus clean up the mess — it may not be worth it.
Even New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is noting the high price of eggs. While delivering his budget proposal address, Murphy said he has an obligation to deliver economic opportunity and security to all New Jerseyans — in the face of everything from escalating housing costs to soaring egg prices.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s has said it will not be adding an egg surcharge to meals, which is a step already taken by Waffle House and Denny’s.
