*U.S. consumers are facing record-high egg prices due to a bird flu outbreak that has killed millions of egg-laying chickens, leading to rising food costs
The Independent reports that egg prices are projected to rise by 20.3% by the year’s end, following an 8.4% increase in December 2024. This surge is primarily linked to a bird flu outbreak that began in 2022, killing over 20 million egg-laying chickens in late 2024 and more than 111 million birds overall. Some grocery stores have even imposed limits on the number of eggs customers can purchase. The outbreak has strained the supply of cage-free eggs, particularly in states like California, which require all eggs sold to be cage-free.
“It’s the first time in my life that I’ve ever had to be kind of embarrassed on what I’m selling eggs for,” Mike Vickers, a manager at Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket in Minneapolis, said. “And it’s not our fault. We’re paying today $7.45 for a dozen eggs. We’re selling for $7.59. We’re making $0.14. That’s doesn’t pay the bills.”
Inflation has driven grocery prices to an expected increase of 1.3% in 2025.
Scroll to continue reading
According to reports, over 60 people have fallen ill with bird flu since last March, with one fatality. Most cases involved individuals who had direct contact with infected animals. The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent at least $1.14 billion compensating farmers for the birds they have had to kill. A rise in the price of chicken, turkey, and milk has also been attributed to bird flu.
President Donald Trump criticized previous policies for exacerbating inflation and pledging to tackle rising grocery costs. However, he acknowledged that reversing such trends is a complex challenge.
“I’d like to bring them down. It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard. But I think that they will,” he said. “I think that energy is going to bring them down. I think a better supply chain is going to bring them down.”
Trump reiterated his plan to bring down during his inauguration speech on January 20.
“I will direct all members of my Cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation and rapidly bring down costs and prices,” he said.
Meanwhile, health officials have found no evidence of human-to-human bird flu transmission.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Here’s Why Americans Refrigerate Eggs and Milk While Other Countries Don’t | Video
