Egg prices in the United States have declined substantially during President Trump’s second term, dropping from an average of $4.95 per dozen in January 2025 to approximately $2.27 in August. The administration has highlighted this decrease as evidence of its economic policies, though agriculture experts indicate the causes are more complex than executive actions alone.
Avian flu has been the dominant factor shaping egg prices over the past five years. A severe outbreak between October 2024 and March 2025 resulted in nearly 51 million egg-laying hens being lost, driving prices to a record high of $6.23 per dozen in March 2025. As flocks recovered during a milder avian flu season later in the year, supply increased and prices fell accordingly. According to economists, this natural recovery cycle accounts for the majority of the price decline rather than policy interventions.
The Trump administration has implemented several measures to support egg producers. In February, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced up to $1 billion in assistance, including $500 million for enhanced biosecurity protections and $400 million to compensate farmers for culled flocks. The USDA also streamlined regulations and increased egg imports, which reached 121 million dozen-equivalent units in 2025, compared to 29.8 million the previous year. However, experts note these steps have had limited impact relative to other factors.
At the same time, certain administration policies have increased operating costs for farmers. Tariffs on foreign trading partners and international tensions have driven up expenses for necessities like diesel fuel. According to economic analysts, these cost increases have outweighed regulatory benefits provided to farms. Most industry observers attribute roughly 90-95 percent of the price decline to biosecurity improvements and the natural severity cycle of avian flu rather than policy choices. Eggs remain an inelastic good with stable demand despite price fluctuations, making supply disruptions particularly impactful to consumers.
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