Last year, many people in the United States were surprised by egg prices. In March 2025, a dozen large Grade A eggs cost $6.23 on average. By February 2026, the average price was $2.50. In March 2026, it fell again to $2.35. AP said egg prices were about 60% lower than the record high from the year before. (bls.gov)
Why did the price go down? The biggest reason is bird flu. In early 2025, bird flu hurt many farms. Egg-laying hens died or had to be destroyed, so there were fewer eggs in stores. When supply became low, prices went up fast. Later, bird flu cases became less severe for a time, and egg supplies started to recover. USDA also said egg prices at stores began to fall after market prices fell and new bird flu cases slowed for a while. (apnews.com)
Another reason is that farmers worked to build their flocks again. AP reported that more egg-type chicks were hatched as producers replaced lost hens. USDA reports showed egg-type chicks hatched were up 8% in May 2025 and also up 8% in June 2025 from a year earlier. More young hens later meant more eggs. USDA also expanded bird flu prevention work and support for farmers, hoping to protect flocks and improve supply. (apnews.com)
So, the answer is simple: egg prices fell because the egg supply got better after a bird flu shock. But prices can still change quickly. In March 2026, the egg index fell 3.4% from the month before, yet AP also noted that bird flu was still affecting U.S. flocks and infections in commercial flocks rose in March. Eggs are cheaper now, but the market is still very sensitive. (bls.gov)










