Fri Jan 24 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Bird Flu Drives Egg Prices to Record Highs

**DES MOINES, IA** – Avian influenza is the primary culprit behind the soaring cost of eggs across the United States, experts say. The average price of a dozen large Grade A eggs reached $4.15 last month, a 37% increase year-over-year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This surge far outpaces the overall 2.5% increase in food prices.

The devastating impact of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus is undeniable. Over 16 million egg-laying hens perished in December and early January alone due to the outbreak, significantly impacting egg supply. This regional concentration of production, particularly in the Midwest (Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana), exacerbates the problem, according to Jada Thompson, a poultry economist at the University of Arkansas.

“When a disease hits farms in a concentrated production area, it affects multiple farms and the overall egg supply, directly influencing prices,” Thompson explained. While holiday demand and increased feed and labor costs contribute, the massive loss of hens due to bird flu is the main driver of the price spike.

The HPAI virus, which has infected over 130 million birds in the U.S. since 2022, has also spread to dairy cattle, raising further concerns. Yuko Sato, a poultry extension veterinarian at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, notes that the virus’s high fatality rate in birds—often killing them within days—necessitates the culling of entire infected flocks to contain the spread. The spread to dairy cattle complicates matters, introducing a new potential transmission vector.

While producers are increasing chick production to replenish their flocks, the uncertainty surrounding the virus’s spread and the high costs associated with overstocking make predicting future egg prices difficult. Thompson anticipates prices will eventually decrease as bird flu cases decline and supply recovers, but further outbreaks could lead to renewed price increases. The situation highlights the interconnectedness of disease, agriculture, and consumer costs, leaving both producers and consumers facing economic challenges.

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