Egg prices in the United States have risen again due to a long-lasting bird flu outbreak, which has come at a time when people are buying more eggs for the holiday baking season. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a dozen eggs in October was $3.37, which is higher than last year but much lower than the peak of $4.82 in January 2023. The American Egg Board noted that egg shortages have been short-lived and usually fixed within a day. The main cause of higher prices is avian influenza, which has led to the culling of over 111 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens, since February 2022. This has caused a drop in the egg-laying flock and a 4% decrease in egg production over the last year.

The current bird flu outbreak is particularly affecting cage-free egg supplies in states like California, Nevada, and Oregon, where cage-free egg laws are strict. To address the shortages, eggs are being transported from other regions where cage-free production remains abundant. The spread of the disease has also been worsened by wild birds, whose migration patterns have been changed by climate change and extreme weather, such as hurricanes and wildfires. Despite these problems, the egg industry is working to rebuild its flock, though this will take time. On a positive note, the price of chicken feed has dropped, which is helping to reduce costs for farmers.