In the USA, egg prices have experienced a dramatic hike, with consumers now facing prices exceeding $10 for a dozen eggs. This surge, commonly attributed to outbreaks of avian influenza, has resulted in significant egg shortages across the nation.
The price of eggs swelled by a staggering 159 percent over the past year, prompting some grocery stores to enforce purchase limits to manage demand. In total, more than 166 million wild and domestic birds have been culled since the H5N1 avian flu strain was identified by US officials in early 2022. As a result, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that over 30 million hens were slaughtered at the beginning of 2025 alone. This represents a worrying 12.3 percent of the national cage bird population and nearly eight percent of the free-range chicken population.
In light of these shortages, US authorities have reached out to various European nations for assistance. Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy have been contacted to explore the possibility of exporting surplus eggs to the US. Notably, Germany recently reported having a secured egg supply for the Easter period but does not possess a considerable surplus for export.
On March 19, 2025, Hans-Peter Goldnick, president of the German Egg Association, confirmed the situation, stating, "The egg supply for Easter is secured," while urging Germans to continue purchasing eggs as normal and avoid panic buying.
Interestingly, Turkey is stepping up to fill the supply gap. In a recent agreement, Turkey has committed to export an additional 15,000 tons of eggs to the US and aims to provide approximately 240 million eggs by July 2025. This arrangement is projected to yield around $26 million in revenue for Turkey, highlighting a significant economic opportunity as they navigate the crisis.
Futhermore, the US plans to reinstate import licenses for egg products from the Netherlands, which, as the world’s largest egg exporter, is expected to ease domestic supply issues. These efforts will encompass liquid egg and egg powder exports.
A slight relief has already been observed in the US egg prices, which had reached a peak of $8.15 per dozen in mid-February but have halved since then. This decline is attributed to both reduced demand and slight improvements in supply. Nevertheless, it’s likely that the average American consumer will not experience the benefits of lowered prices immediately.
The ongoing demand for eggs remains a cause for concern, especially as the typical avian flu outbreaks can disrupt production continuity. The time it takes to replace slaughtered hens and cultivate young hens to laying maturity spans roughly four to five months. In addition, producers are cautious about raising young laying hens due to fears of further outbreaks, which could prolong current shortages well into the remainder of 2025.
In summary, while the pressures on egg availability and prices are substantial, efforts from both the US government and its international partners may slowly improve the situation. The long-term outlook for egg prices and availability remains uncertain, with many anticipating that problems will persist at least until the end of the year.
