Egg prices plummet 61% since Trump took office

In the United States, egg prices have seen a significant decrease since President Donald Trump took office in January. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average price for a dozen eggs dropped from $6.49 on January 21 to just $2.52 today. This decline reflects a change in consumer behavior as over a third of Americans stopped purchasing eggs due to high costs, which peaked in March at $8.00 per dozen. The USDA attributed the price drop to weakened demand along with fewer reported cases of bird flu, contributing to inflated prices. The demand for eggs saw a brief improvement leading up to the Memorial Day weekend but remained below average, continuing the downward trend initiated by earlier price hikes. Projections indicated that egg prices could rise over 40% by 2025 amidst ongoing concerns regarding supply, driven largely by the impact of avian flu that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 170 million birds since 2022. This ongoing epidemic has primarily affected egg-laying hens, leading to a substantial drop in national inventory. In addition to the domestic impacts from the bird flu outbreaks, the USDA has sought to bolster egg supplies by increasing imports from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea. Despite these measures, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized the administration's commitment to controlling egg prices by actively monitoring the situation and taking necessary actions to alleviate consumer burdens associated with food costs. The reduced prices since Trump's administration have become a focal point in political discussions surrounding food security and economic management. The volatile market for eggs reflects broader consumer sentiments regarding inflation, as fluctuations in pricing affect perception of economic stability. The Biden administration's handling of egg prices, alongside other issues like gas prices, has also become a point of contention, with past policies under scrutiny. Ultimately, the sharp decrease in egg prices highlights a notable turnaround amid ongoing supply chain challenges, demonstrating how effective policy and management can directly impact everyday costs for American families.