Egg Prices Surge Nationwide, Impacting Consumers and Businesses

A bird flu outbreak and allegations of corporate price gouging drive record-high egg prices, straining budgets and reshaping consumer habits.

A nationwide bird flu outbreak has led to the culling of over 166 million birds since 2022, significantly reducing egg supply and driving up prices.
Egg prices have hit record highs, with some regions seeing costs of $8 per dozen or more, and restaurant staples like bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches rising to nearly $8 in New York City.
A watchdog report accuses major egg producers of exploiting the crisis to inflate profits, with companies like Cal-Maine Foods allegedly seeing windfall gains despite minimal direct impact from the outbreak.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a $1 billion plan to address the crisis, focusing on biosecurity measures and flock repopulation, though the approach has faced criticism for its limited scope.
The economic strain caused by soaring egg prices has become a political flashpoint, with Democrats and Republicans debating responsibility and solutions as consumers feel the pinch.