The cost of a dozen eggs – a hotly debated topic during the 2024 election cycle – rose to record highs earlier this year.
But, according to statistics released by the U.S. government this week, fell for the first time since October. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs dropped to $5.12 last month. after hitting a record $6.23 a dozen in March.
Overall, the average price of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, the steepest monthly decline since March 1984, according to a report from The Associated Press.
Despite the drop, egg prices remain near historic highs as a persistent outbreak of bird flu wipes out flocks of egg-laying hens. The April average price for a dozen large eggs was 79% higher than the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for the same month a year ago, when the price averaged $2.86 per dozen, according to the AP report.
David L. Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University, told the AP he thinks U.S. egg prices will continue to fall in May and June. Consumer demand tends to fall after Easter, which helps lower prices, he said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 59 bird flu outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in February, 12 in March and three in April.
But Ortega told the AP the progress of the virus is uncertain, and prices could edge up again if outbreaks expand again.
Bird flu has killed more than 169 million birds since early 2022.
