Egg Prices Drop 12.7% Amid Economic Uncertainty

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Egg prices fell 12.7% last month, marking the largest monthly decline since 1984, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday. This significant drop follows months of rising prices due to a deadly avian flu epidemic.

As of the last week, the average cost for a dozen large white-shell eggs stood at $3.30, down 69 cents from the previous week. Tyler Schipper, an associate professor in economics at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, noted, “Maybe the worst of EggGate has passed.”

Despite this decrease, egg prices are still considerably higher compared to last year’s figures, showing a 49.3% increase in costs from the same month a year ago. The crisis in egg supply has persisted, with the Easter season recording the highest egg prices on record.

President Donald Trump previously claimed that egg prices were on the decline as a direct result of his administration’s policies, including enhanced biosecurity measures and temporary lifting of importing restrictions. However, he stated that prices had dropped by as much as 94%, a figure Schipper described as grossly inaccurate.

The reality shows that wholesale prices, which distributors pay, had been decreasing prior to the consumer prices aligning. “Consumer prices usually lag behind wholesale,” said Kevin Bergquist, a sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

The USDA highlighted that reduced demand for eggs contributed to the recent price drop. Chains like Costco had previously limited sales due to shortages. As supply stabilizes, consumers are finally witnessing a drop in egg prices, validating Trump’s claims, albeit belatedly.