Egg Prices Surge Amid Bird Flu Outbreak, Straining Consumers and Political Landscape
The price hike creates a challenge for Trump, who criticized rising food costs during Biden's presidency.
United States —
Egg prices in the U.S. have soared by 50% in the past year, with costs accelerating since November, the month Donald Trump was elected president. This dramatic price increase is leaving American consumers feeling the pinch and has raised concerns over political repercussions for Trump.
As of January 18, a dozen eggs averaged $5.29, up sharply from $3.50 in February 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The cost began rising significantly in November, when a dozen eggs hit $3.65 and spiked again in December to $4.15.
The primary cause of the surge is the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has decimated the chicken population and severely reduced egg supplies. An unusually high consumer demand for eggs during the winter holiday season has only compounded the issue. The U.S. Agriculture Department reports that more than 13 million hens have been either lost or culled due to the bird flu since December.
Officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, are warning businesses not to take advantage of the situation by price gouging. James emphasized, "The bird flu is impacting poultry farms, causing a national shortage, but this should not be used as an excuse to dramatically inflate prices."
Consumers are voicing frustration over the sharp rise in prices. "It’s just robbery," said Minneapolis resident Sage Mills, who recently bought eggs to bake a birthday cake. "Eggs used to be a staple food for us, but now you might as well just go out to eat."
The sharp rise in egg prices could pose a political dilemma for Trump, who won the White House in November by criticizing Biden for rising food costs. Trump had promised to lower grocery prices immediately upon taking office. With egg prices climbing to historic highs, Democrats are already accusing Trump of failing to deliver on his promises.
In an effort to shift blame, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to the Biden administration during her first official briefing. "In 2024, when Joe Biden was in the Oval Office — or upstairs in the residence sleeping, I’m not so sure — egg prices increased 65% in this country," Leavitt remarked. She also criticized Biden's handling of poultry culling, which she claimed led to the current egg shortage.
Leavitt's comments come amid the implementation of new policies under the Trump administration, including tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. Economists predict these tariffs will further escalate consumer prices and disrupt the post-pandemic economic recovery initiated under Biden.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) criticized Trump’s tariff strategy, warning that “at the end of the day, it’s the American taxpayer and American people who are going to pay dearly for this stupid move.”
Canada and Mexico have already signaled plans to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods, while China is preparing to take the issue to the World Trade Organization.
As the egg price crisis continues, political and economic pressures are mounting for the Trump administration, while consumers struggle to cope with rising costs.