Business Daily What's going on with US egg prices?
Apr 23, 2025
Egg prices in the U.S. have skyrocketed, with some paying nearly $10 for a dozen. Avian flu and supply chain woes are to blame, impacting both consumers and restaurants. A South Carolina farmer grapples with growing challenges, while innovative solutions like mung beans emerge as sustainable alternatives. The government is stepping in, importing eggs from abroad to alleviate domestic shortages. With Americans consuming an average of 280 eggs a year, the search for affordable options and fresh strategies continues!
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Square Diner's Egg Price Struggle
- Ted Karunos from Square Diner describes a dramatic rise in egg costs, increasing weekly expenses by around $1,400 to $1,600.
- He refuses to cut egg dishes from the menu, citing eggs as essential to his diner identity.
Avian Flu and Rising Demand Collide
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza caused massive hen losses, cutting laying flocks by 15% since December.
- Rising demand for protein and breakfast options pushed egg consumption to a 50-year high in 2019, deepening supply strain.
Intensive Farming Exacerbates Crisis
- Intensive factory farming practices amplify bird flu spread and magnify outbreak impact, affecting millions of birds.
- Large egg producers with no outbreaks still raised prices, showing strong market power and limited competition.