Bird Flu Caused Egg Prices to Skyrocket Last Year — and 2025 Isn’t Looking Much Better

In late December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded the genetic sequencing from the avian influenza sample collected from a patient in Louisiana. It found “low-frequency mutations in the hemagglutinin gene,” which suggests the virus might have mutated inside the patient after they got infected. While there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered on how — and if — this will affect humans, we do know that the spread of bird flu, also known as H5N1, is already affecting egg prices.

As of the end of December, the CDC reported that 128,907,392 wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and “backyard or hobbyist flocks” had been infected by bird flu, up from 111,412,626 birds on December 2. These birds have been found in all 50 states. 

According to the USDA’s monthly livestock outlook, table-egg-laying flocks have been massively impacted by the spread of the flu. “There were 3.97 million table-egg layers depopulated in November alone, and in the first week of December, the loss of an additional 2.5 million birds in two Merced, California flocks was confirmed,” the report stated, adding that both the November and December table-egg-layer cases included losses in California and Arizona, both of which require cage-free egg production. In 2025, Arizona is requiring that all gets sold in the state be from cage-free production, even if they were produced in other states. 

The report also noted that the daily New York wholesale price for a dozen large eggs averaged 423.3 cents ($4.23), which is up 110 cents ($1.10) in October and 210 cents ($2.10) year over year. And, following the California avian flu cases in early December, daily prices began to increase again.

“For 2025, quarterly average price projections were adjusted up to reflect decreased production expectations,” the report added. “The first-quarter projection was adjusted up 45 cents to 295 cents per dozen, the second quarter projection up 25 cents to 225 cents per dozen, the third-quarter projection up 20 cents to 190 cents per dozen, and the fourth-quarter projection up 30 cents to 210 cents per dozen.” However, it noted that even with these adjustments, the 2025 average price projection of 230 cents per dozen is a decrease of about 70 cents from the 2024 average price projection.

Still, things are currently looking rather bleak for egg prices in some parts of the country. According to ABC30, egg prices in California were up 70% from November to December, with an average cost for a dozen eggs hitting $8.97. 

And it’s not just in California. Across the nation, consumers are reporting it’s becoming both more expensive and difficult to find eggs. “Customers will continue to find eggs in our stores,” Caitlin Cortelyou, the external communications manager with Hannaford Supermarkets, shared with New Hampshire’s Ink Link. “However, the continued impact of the Avian flu has significantly affected the number of eggs available to retailers. Due to reduced inventory from suppliers, as well as increased customer demand for eggs during the holiday season, there may be occasions when a specific brand, size or type is unavailable.”

It’s not just Hannaford that reported egg shortages over the holidays. Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop, and other regional grocery stores also reported shortages. So, for now, you may want to consider cooking and baking with egg substitutes or building in a little extra time to shop around your area markets to find the best deals.