USDA Egg Supply_Demand Article

USDA's Initiative to Lower Egg Prices

On February 26, 2025, the USDA announced a $1 billion plan to boost egg imports amidst a bird flu outbreak.
The avian flu strain H5N1 has caused significant mortality among egg-laying chickens and affected public health, leading to one reported death in Louisiana.
Egg prices surged, with the average cost for a dozen large Grade A eggs reaching $4.95 in January 2025, up 15% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the importance of eggs as a cost-effective protein source. He noted that families are facing eggs priced at $6 to $10 or more.

In response to the inflation in egg prices, the USDA aims to increase egg imports and limit exports.
Turkey, a major egg exporter, committed to shipping approximately 420 million eggs to the U.S. in 2025, up from the typical 70 million.

Rollins reiterated that any increase in egg imports would depend on meeting U.S. safety standards to ensure American farmers' market access is not jeopardized.
Funding for the bird flu initiative will partially come from budget cuts within the USDA.

The USDA is launching a pilot program allocating $500 million on Wildlife Biosecurity Assessments to prevent contamination in egg-laying farms.
A $400 million financial relief package will assist farmers affected by avian flu and facilitate quicker recovery post-outbreak.
The USDA plans to explore vaccine development for egg-laying chickens with a budget of up to $100 million for research and therapeutics.
Additionally, the USDA aims to ease regulations that complicate farming operations, particularly regarding California's Proposition 12, which has driven up state egg prices.
Efforts may include increasing support for families interested in raising backyard chickens.