Bird Flu Outbreak Sparks Egg Shortages and Price Hikes Across the U.S.

A recent outbreak of bird flu has led to significant disruptions in the U.S. egg market, with many regions experiencing severe shortages and soaring prices. The highly contagious avian influenza, which has affected commercial poultry farms in multiple states, has resulted in the culling of millions of infected birds, primarily laying hens.
As a consequence, egg production has been drastically reduced, leaving grocery store shelves empty and consumers facing higher-than-usual prices. In some areas, prices for a dozen eggs have more than doubled in recent weeks, leading to concerns among both households and businesses that rely on eggs for daily operations, such as restaurants and bakeries.
Experts say that the outbreak is among the worst in recent years, impacting several major egg-producing states, including Iowa, which is the nation’s top egg producer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been working to contain the outbreak, with new measures aimed at preventing further spread, such as enhanced biosecurity practices on farms and restrictions on the movement of poultry in affected areas.
While the long-term impact of the outbreak remains uncertain, agricultural economists are warning that egg prices could remain elevated for several months, as it may take time for affected farms to recover and for production to return to normal levels.
Consumers have been advised to expect ongoing fluctuations in egg availability and to consider alternative protein sources as the situation develops.