Egg prices to increase by more than 40% in 2025, according to USDA report
If you're a consumer who hoped the price of eggs would come back down to Earth soon, you may want to avert your eyes.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report Tuesday saying the agency predicts egg prices will increase 41.1% this year, and a 3.4% increase for the prices of all food is also forecast.
According to the USDA, retail egg prices increased 13.8% in January 2025 after rising 8.4% in December 2024.
"Retail egg prices continue to experience volatile month-to-month changes due to an outbreak of HPAI that began in 2022," the department said in the report. "HPAI contributes to elevated egg prices by reducing egg-layer flocks and egg production."
The agency said more than 18 million commercial egg layers were infected by bird flu in January 2025, which represents the "highest monthly total since the outbreak began in 2022," fueling an egg price increase of 53% from January 2024 to January 2025.
What is the current status of the bird flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H5 bird flu is "widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows," along with several human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
"While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures," the agency said on its website.
The CDC says 70 cases of bird flu have been recorded among humans, one of which was fatal.
Other food prices also expected to increase in 2025
Prices of other foods are expected to increase in 2025, according to the USDA report. They include:
- Beef and veal prices are predicted to increase 3.2%.
- Pork prices, 1.2%.
- Prices for fresh fruit, 2.4%
- Prices for sugar and sweets, 6.4%
- Prices for nonalcoholic beverages, 4.4%
Poultry prices are predicted to experience no change on average in 2025, the USDA said in its report.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at Paste BN. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.