Egg Prices Soar in the US; Mexico’s Supply Remains Stable

The cost of eggs in the United States has doubled over the past year due to the spread of avian flu. In Mexico, the shortage of this staple food has led to rising prices. However, strong domestic production is expected to prevent major disruptions.

Egg prices in the United States have reached unprecedented levels, continuing an upward trend that began two years ago. Over the past year, prices have doubled, with consumers now paying an average of US$4.95 per dozen, compared to US$2.04 reported in August 2023. The highest recorded price was US$7.30 on Feb. 7, marking a 10% increase in just one week and setting a new all-time high. This surge is largely attributed to an avian flu outbreak that began in 2022. Since its detection, more than 158 million birds have died, according to data from the American Farm Bureau Federation, severely impacting egg production. 

The high number of bird deaths is due to regulations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which mandate that when an infected hen is detected, all surrounding birds must be culled to prevent the virus from spreading. As a result it often takes several months to dispose of the carcasses, sanitize the barns, and raise new birds until they are old enough to start laying eggs. "When a farm is repopulated, the new hens can take up to five months to begin laying eggs," explained Mundo David Ortega, Researcher, Michigan State University, in an interview with the BBC.

The USDA highlighted that more than 23 million birds were culled last month, and over 18 million were euthanized in December to limit the spread of the virus. These figures include turkeys and chickens raised for meat, but the vast majority were egg-laying hens. In addition to the outbreak, egg farmers are also facing higher costs for feed, fuel, and labor due to inflation. Moreover, they are investing more in biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.

The rise in egg prices has been one of the key drivers of inflation in the United States. In January, prices increased by 3%, with eggs and energy contributing the most to this surge, according to official data. This has raised concerns about the impact of Donald Trump's trade policies, as the imposition of tariffs on imports could drive consumer goods prices further up and prolong inflation. Goldman Sachs projects that without tariffs, annual inflation could drop to 2.3% by the end of 2025, whereas with the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the rate could reach 2.8%.

On the domestic front, rising egg prices have been driven by strong demand from the neighboring country. In the first week of February 2025, producer prices for white and red eggs in Mexico stood at MX$43.1/kg (US$2.1) and MX$45.7/kg, respectively, according to Grupo Milenio. Data from the National Market Information and Integration System (SNIIM) showed the highest recorded prices at MX$52/kg for red eggs at Mexico City's Central de Abasto and MX$51/kg for white eggs in Colima.

Juan Carlos Anaya, Director General, GCMA, stated that while the situation in the United States may keep prices elevated in the short term, Mexico’s strong and stable domestic production ensures sufficient supply. “So far Mexico has maintained stable production without reporting cases of avian flu. This reflects the country's ability to protect its poultry sector and guarantee both food safety and domestic supply,” the expert affirmed.