Egg prices falling as consumers’ demand remains cool after 2025 ‘eggflation’ –Report

*Despite a decline in ‘eggflation’ cum sky-high price of eggs from 2025, and subsequent surge in egg farmers’ supplies after flocks devastated by bird flu, consumers’ demand is yet to pick up in the United States, says report

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Egg prices are sharply lower than a year ago, with the average cost of a dozen eggs down more than 34 percent from early 2025 levels in the United States, a report has said.

ConsumerConnect, however, gathered that despite the decline in “eggflation” from 2025, and subsequent surge in egg supply after farmers rebuilt flocks devastated by bird flu, consumers’ demand has cooled.

Consumers, who switched to alternatives during the price spike have not fully returned to the market, agency report stated.

It was not that long ago that consumers complained about the sky-high price of eggs.

Now, retail egg prices have dropped dramatically since their historic peak in early 2025, when shortages pushed the average cost of a dozen eggs to over $6 in the American country.

Current prices are far lower — about $2.58 per dozen January this year — representing a decline of more than 34 percent from a year earlier, and nearly 60 percent below the March 2025 peak, according to consumer price data.

It is noted that the sharp reversal highlights how quickly agricultural markets could swing from shortage to surplus.

From bird flu shock to market recovery

The price surge in 2024 and early 2025 was largely triggered by outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, which forced farmers to cull tens of millions of egg-laying hens across the US.

The sudden loss of birds created a supply crunch that sent prices soaring nationwide, according to report.

However, poultry producers responded quickly by rebuilding their flocks once the outbreaks eased.

As new hens began laying eggs, supply recovered and eventually, overshot demand.

Report further indicated that rebound had been dramatic.

Indeed, egg inventories and flock sizes have grown so quickly that the industry is now dealing with oversupply, putting downward pressure on prices.

A classic supply glut in industry

Economists said the current decline was a classic example of how agricultural markets work.

When prices spiked, farmers expanded production to capture the higher profits.

But by the time those new birds began producing eggs — often months later — the market had shifted. With more eggs than buyers, prices began sliding rapidly.

Wholesale prices have dropped especially steeply, report stated.

In some cases, they have fallen over 80 percent from the highs seen earlier last year, according to market reports tracking egg commodities.

Retail prices typically, follow wholesale trends with a delay, because supermarkets buy eggs through contracts and adjust shelf prices more slowly.

Demand hasn’t fully recovered, says report

Despite return to normalcy in the eggs supply chain, consumer demand has softened, report said.

During the height of the price spike, several households turned to alternative protein sources, or cut back on eggs altogether, report noted.

It was also learnt that much of that behaviour had lingered, reducing the pressure on supply and helping to push prices lower.

Seasonal factors also play a role. Demand often cools after major baking holidays like Easter, which historically leads to weaker egg prices in the months that follow.

Despite the recent drop, egg markets remain vulnerable to sudden changes.

Bird flu outbreaks are still occurring sporadically, and even small disruptions can quickly tighten supply. Millions of birds have continued to be culled during localised outbreaks 2026.

For now, though, American consumers are benefiting from the market’s swing in the opposite direction.

After a year when eggs symbolised inflation at the grocery store, the humble staple has become one of the few foods getting noticeably cheaper, report added.

Kindly Share This Story