Egg prices in the U.S. have dropped 42.1% year-over-year as the market recovers from a severe avian flu outbreak that began in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) February consumer price index (CPI) report. The decline contrasts with overall CPI inflation, which increased 2.4% over the same period.
Market Volatility from Avian Flu Fluctuations
Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, described the egg industry’s recent experience as a “rollercoaster of avian influenza detection.” The number of affected birds has varied widely, from nearly zero to around 20 million depending on the month and season. These fluctuations caused egg prices to peak at $6.22 per dozen in March 2025, before falling to approximately $2.50 per dozen as of early 2026. In December 2025, prices were about 12% below the five-year average as production normalized.
The USDA’s enhanced detection efforts include wildlife and domestic assessments aimed at preventing the infiltration of avian flu by wild birds and improving farm hygiene. These services are provided free to farmers, who are then responsible for implementing recommended biosecurity measures.
Continued Risks from Migratory Birds
While production has increased as avian flu cases slowed, USDA wildlife monitoring reported a high viral load in migratory birds traveling across all four U.S. flyways in recent months. About 14 million birds were affected in the last 30 days, including a recent detection impacting four million birds at egg production facilities. Nelson warned that such outbreaks can rapidly reduce supply and potentially push egg prices higher again.
USDA indemnity programs cover cleanup costs from avian flu outbreaks but do not compensate for up to six months of lost egg production, contributing to financial and emotional strain on farmers during these disruptions.
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