WASHINGTON — Egg prices are beginning to ease after months of sky-high costs, as inventories recover amid a surprising slowdown in bird flu outbreaks.
The average wholesale price for a dozen eggs dropped to $3 on Friday, down 8% from $3.27 just over a week earlier, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prices are now down 63% from a record $8.15 reported in late February.
The Trump administration has also moved to increase egg imports in an effort to stabilize the market and bring prices down, according to Axios.
Retail prices, which typically lag behind wholesale costs, are also starting to fall, offering relief to consumers after a year of sticker shock in the dairy aisle.
The drop in prices comes despite the approach of one of the busiest egg-buying periods of the year, with eggs playing a central role in Easter celebrations and Passover traditions.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned earlier this month that demand during the Easter season could still push prices higher, saying on March 11 that it is “the highest price period for eggs” and that costs could “inch back up.”
Meanwhile, consumers may soon face higher prices at the breakfast table in another category. Wholesale prices for arabica coffee beans have doubled over the past year, prompting coffee roasters to discuss passing on price hikes to retailers, Reuters reported.
Buck? Buck buck, cluck cluck, cackle, bawk.
Cockadoodledo!
Egg producers have learned how to gouge consumers from the pros, oil companies. Prices skyrocket, but super slow to come down.
Gary, there has been a problem involving bird flu for quite some time. Millions and Millions of birds have been destroyed. The terrible evil oil companies are not involved in any way, shape or form.
Supply and demand.
Supply and demand…
Funk those eggs, eat yourself a bowl of oatmeal.