Join Dr. Jada Thompson, an associate professor at the University of Arkansas specializing in agricultural economics, as she dives into the egg crisis that's captured national attention. Discover why egg prices skyrocketed from $2 to over $9 due to a bird flu outbreak and the challenges within the poultry industry. She also discusses biosecurity measures, the controversial practice of culling flocks, and how vaccination strategies may shape the future of egg prices. A fascinating journey into the economics of one of nature's most essential foods!
The avian flu outbreak has devastated egg production, resulting in a significant decrease in supply and skyrocketing prices for consumers.
Future reductions in egg prices hinge on controlling the avian flu and replenishing the chicken population, which takes considerable time.
Deep dives
The Impact of Bird Flu on Egg Prices
The ongoing avian flu outbreak, specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has severely affected egg production, leading to skyrocketing prices. This strain has a mortality rate of nearly 90-94% among infected birds, resulting in the loss of millions of laying hens from the market. As of early 2025, about 30 million birds have been impacted, contributing to a dramatic reduction in egg supply. This shortage has prompted some restaurants to impose additional surcharges for eggs, illustrating how tightly intertwined supply and demand dynamics are in this market.
Economic Factors Influencing Egg Supply
The price of eggs is influenced by various economic factors, including the costs associated with transportation, feed, and production, as well as the nature of the wholesale market. Wholesale prices typically follow a bidding process, where demand pushes prices up when supplies are low, leading to higher retail prices. In recent times, wholesale markets have experienced unprecedented tightness in supply, exacerbating the situation further. This acute supply crisis, combined with high demand for eggs as a staple food item, has resulted in a significant economic burden for consumers.
Long-Term Outlook for Egg Prices
Looking ahead, the recovery of egg prices will largely depend on controlling the avian flu and the replenishment of the chicken population. New chickens take around six months to reach maturity, which means any rebounds in egg pricing could be gradual. If new outbreaks are minimized and production resumes, it is likely prices will decrease significantly from current highs. While eggs may not return to pre-crisis levels immediately, market conditions suggest that declining prices could be on the horizon, bringing relief to consumers.
Everyone’s talking about the price of eggs—so why are they so expensive? And when can we expect—if ever—the price to come back down?
Guests:
Dr. Jada Thompson, associate professor at the University of Arkansas
Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.