Los Angeles Times

Shellshock­ed consumers get a break as egg prices drop

In California, a dozen costs $1.68, way down from the bird flu peak.

- By Terry Castleman Times staff writer Salvador Hernandez contribute­d to this report.

After a bird flu outbreak last year caused egg prices to skyrocket across the country, consumers are getting some relief.

After significan­t drops over the previous four weeks, the average price for a dozen large eggs May 5 in California was $1.68, versus a high of $7.37 in January and $2.35 a year prior, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultur­e.

An increase in supply was the primary reason for the price decline.

“United States egg production totaled 9.21 billion during March 2023,” the USDA report said. This is down 3% from the same period last year but an improvemen­t from the nearly 30% drop seen in 2022 due to avian flu. More than 43 million chickens were lost that year, according to the agency.

Avian flu resulted in 29% fewer eggs on the market during the final week of December than at the beginning of 2022, according to the USDA. Demand for eggs typically spikes in December.

With production back on track, prices have returned to pre-outbreak levels.

California’s Propositio­n 12, which required that hens be cage-free in 2022, may have contribute­d to some price increases, according to the state’s independen­t Legislativ­e Analyst’s Office.

The price spike led to increases in seizures of eggs at the Mexican border by Customs and Border Patrol agents. Seizures at the San Diego field office from October through December were up 384% from the same period in 2021.

Uncooked eggs are not allowed into the U.S. from Mexico because of the risk of disease.

The cheaper eggs are good news for California’s poorest, who have felt inflation in food prices the most. Last year, food banks reported an increase in firsttime users as food costs rose rapidly. Though prices for staples remain elevated, California­ns can count on less-expensive eggs — for now.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States