The U.S. egg market has been in turmoil in recent weeks, grappling with a perfect storm of challenges that have led to sky-high prices and supply shortages. At the heart of the crisis is the ongoing impact of avian influenza, which has surged to unprecedented levels since mid-October. This outbreak is considered the worst the industry has faced in recent years, and it has had a profound effect on egg production across the nation.
Previously we have seen farmers endure significant losses from bird flu, but this year, the numbers have reached new heights. Roughly 23 million laying hens have been culled already in the early months of 2025, surpassing the total number lost throughout the entirety of 2023. The result? A glaring deficit in egg production that has yet to meet the demands of U.S. consumers. What we are seeing now is industry is struggling to keep pace with the country’s egg needs.
As a result, egg prices have skyrocketed, and it’s clear that rebuilding the U.S. egg supply won’t be a quick fix. Karyn Rispoli, Managing Editor at Expana, believes that restoring balance to the market will depend on a prolonged period without any new avian influenza outbreaks. “What we need to see is a sustained period with no bird flu to bring some balance back to the market,” Rispoli explained. However, even with such an outcome, the process of repopulating farms and restoring production to pre-flu levels will take time, meaning elevated prices are likely to persist for a while longer.
The volatility of the egg market and the rising prices will be major points of discussion at Urner Barry by Expana’s upcoming Executive Conference, now in its 49th year. This event, a must-attend for leaders in the egg, poultry, and red meat industries, will be held at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas from the 5th-7th May.
Attendees can look forward to hearing from industry executives discussing the impact of these developments during the industry leaders’ panel. Another panel, focused on the market impact of animal epidemics, will include a deep dive into avian influenza’s ripple effects on protein commodities, imports, and prices to better understand the impact and predicted recovery times.
For those working in buying, selling, and supply chain roles, the conference will also feature an in-depth look at the factors influencing the egg market, that will feature Rispoli and provide valuable insights into what can be expected in the months to come.
The egg forecasting session will provide a perspective on what we can expect to see over the coming months and the financial risk management session will offer practical knowledge on hedging strategies, helping industry professionals navigate the uncertainty and volatility that has become the new norm for the egg supply chain.
The road to recovery for the U.S. egg supply will undoubtedly be long and complex. With no quick resolution in sight, both producers and consumers will need to adapt to a market in flux. While the outlook may seem uncertain, the efforts of those in the industry to rebuild and innovate will play a crucial role in restoring equilibrium to this vital food commodity.
Gain more information about the Expana by Urner Barry’s Executive Conference here
Learn more about Expana by Urner Barry’s U.S. Egg Market pricing here
