Egg Prices Down Over 61% Since January
Demand remains below average after prices peaked in March
Egg prices in the United States have dropped over 61% since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, after peaking in March. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the national average price for a dozen large white eggs now stands at $2.52, down from $6.49 in January and over $8 in early March.
The USDA's Egg Markets Overview reported a small improvement in shell egg demand heading into the Memorial Day weekend, though it remained well below average. This continues a trend that began during the sharp price increases in late winter.
A study by Clarify Capital in April showed that more than 30% of Americans had stopped buying eggs due to their high costs.
Analysts attribute the price drop to weakened consumer demand and a decrease in new bird flu cases. Since the outbreak began in 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has affected over 166 million birds, including 127 million egg-laying hens, resulting in an average annual loss of about 11% of the typical hen inventory.
In February, the Trump administration introduced a five-pronged approach to bring down egg prices, including importing more eggs, deregulation, investments in biosecurity, repopulating fowl and investing in vaccines and therapeutic research.
The USDA confirms that the effects of the outbreak continue today, with 43 reported incidents in layer flocks across 10 states (AZ, CA, IA, IN, MO, NC, OH, PA, SD, and WA)," showing that the issue continues to impact egg production and availability.
Egg production plays a significant role in Alabama’s economy. While specific figures for egg production alone are not readily available, the poultry and egg processing and production industry contributes approximately $19 billion to the State's economy and supports over 47,000 jobs, according to a 2025 report by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
The broader poultry industry, encompassing broilers, eggs, and related processing, is a cornerstone of Alabama's agricultural sector. It accounts for more than 65% of the state's agricultural commodity sales and employs over 86,000 individuals . This industry not only supports farmers and processors but also stimulates local economies through the purchase of goods and services, such as feed, equipment, and transportation.
In terms of production, Alabama ranks 13th nationally, producing approximately 2.61 billion eggs in 2022 . The State's egg output underscores its vital role in meeting both national and international demand for poultry products.
Overall, the poultry and egg industry is integral to Alabama's economy, providing substantial employment opportunities and contributing billions of dollars in economic activity annually.
