The average price of eggs was $7.09 per dozen January 29th, 2025, an increase of 22% since January 1st. In 2024, 34.8 million chickens were killed by or culled due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu). As of January 24th, that total increased by 8.3 million birds. These losses, combined with factors like seasonal winter rise in egg demand, inflation, and individual state policies are leading to historically high egg prices. Current trends suggest egg prices will remain high or rise throughout 2025.

The average price of $7.09 means that in some areas of the country and in some stores egg prices may not be that high, and in other areas like some parts of California egg prices could be as high as $9.00/dozen.

In states where laws require chickens to be cage-free, the prices are higher because cage-free eggs are more expensive. This is why egg prices in California reached over $9.00/dozen in some stores.

Some stores are keeping egg prices lower to draw shoppers in and taking a loss on egg sales.

People tend to bake more in the winter, which leads to a seasonal spike in egg sales in winter months. This increase in demand is adding to the increase in egg prices.

There have been no documented cases of a human getting bird flu from eating an egg. Store-bought eggs are pasteurized, which kills the bird flu virus. If getting eggs from a farmstand or other non-pasteurized source, people should wash their hands after handling the eggs and it is recommended to cook eggs until firm or they reach a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

While it is expected that egg prices will either remain high or continue to rise based on current trends, we do not yet know what egg prices will do for the remainder of 2025.