It’s not egg-xactly egg-citing news … OK, I’ll stop now. That was already too much. Sorry.
Eggs have become expensive. Traders on the prediction market Kalshi thing there’s a 13% chance that price tag could go up even higher.
So when it comes to egg prices, why it happened, and where they could be going, here’s what’s hatching (I know I said I’d stop, but I can’t help myself).
The Sticker Shock
Egg prices aren’t just up — they’ve cracked records (pun intended). What used to be a $2 dozen now edges toward $5 in some places. If breakfast feels more expensive lately, it’s not your imagination. This isn’t just about chickens. It’s about the entire damn supply chain.
Bird Flu’s Brutal Toll
The avian flu ripped through flocks nationwide, killing millions of hens. Less hens = fewer eggs. The virus has been hard to contain, and every new outbreak forces farms to cull entire flocks. That’s a scorched-earth hit to supply.
Feed and Fuel Ain’t Cheap
Raising hens isn’t cheap when corn and soy prices spike. Add the rising cost of diesel to run the trucks and tractors, and suddenly, the cost of producing an egg starts to rival printing money — except you can’t eat cash.
Labor’s Price Tag
Egg farms rely on skilled, often underpaid labor. COVID-era shortages pushed wages up. Good for workers — but it shows up in your omelet. Many producers haven’t caught back up on staffing, adding delays and inefficiencies.
Big Ag’s Big Role
A handful of companies control most of the egg industry. When prices rise, their profits do too. That’s not a conspiracy — it’s capitalism. And it means there’s little incentive to flood the market and drive prices back down.
Cage-Free Complications
As more states ban cage systems, producers are scrambling to retrofit facilities. That’s good for chickens, but expensive as hell for farms. Those costs trickle down — and land right on your grocery bill.
Exports and International Demand
American eggs are in demand abroad, especially powdered and processed varieties. With strong export markets, domestic supply gets tighter. In short: we’re competing with global buyers for our own scrambled eggs.
Retail Markups
Supermarkets aren’t shy about marking up essentials. Eggs are considered a “price perception” item — something shoppers notice. Retailers know you’ll pay extra rather than skip breakfast, so they stretch those margins.
Any Relief in Sight?
Prices have started to cool in early 2025, but not by much. Avian flu is still lingering, and inflationary pressure isn’t over. USDA predicts a gradual drop, but don’t expect pre-2020 prices anytime soon.
What You Can Do
Consider buying local if you can — small farms often have better prices and more humane practices. Store brands tend to be cheaper. And if you’ve got the space and zoning laws, hell, raise some hens.
