U.S. egg costs fall for the primary time in months however stay close to file highs : NPR

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LM Otero/AP U.S. retail egg costs fell in April from the record-high costs they hit earlier this 12 months, in keeping with authorities knowledge launched Tuesday.

The common worth for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 final month after reaching a file $6.23 in March, in keeping with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was the primary month-to-month drop in egg costs since October 2024.

General, the common worth of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, the steepest month-to-month decline since March 1984.

Nonetheless, retail egg costs stay close to historic highs as a persistent outbreak of chicken flu wipes out flocks of egg-laying hens. The April common worth for a dozen massive eggs was 79% increased than the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for a similar month a 12 months in the past, when the worth averaged $2.86 per dozen.

David L. Ortega, a professor of meals economics and coverage at Michigan State College, stated he thinks U.S. egg costs will proceed to fall in Might and June. Client demand tends to fall after Easter, which helps decrease costs, he stated.

Fewer chicken flu outbreaks at industrial poultry operations in current weeks additionally has helped to stabilize the nation's egg provide, Ortega stated.

In accordance with the U.S. Division of Agriculture, there have been 59 chicken flu outbreaks at industrial poultry operations in February, 12 in March and three in April.

However Ortega stated the progress of the virus is unsure, and costs might edge up once more if outbreaks develop once more.

Fowl flu has killed greater than 169 million birds since early 2022. Any time a chicken will get sick, the whole flock is killed to assist maintain the virus from spreading. As soon as a flock is slaughtered, it may take so long as a 12 months to wash a farm and lift new birds to egg-laying age.

Even one outbreak at a industrial facility can impression provide, as a result of huge egg farms might have tens of millions of birds. Outbreaks on two farms in Ohio and South Dakota in April affected greater than 927,000 egg-laying hens.

Decreasing egg costs has been a selected focus of President Donald Trump. In February, the U.S. Division of Agriculture stated it will make investments $1 billion to assist farmers enhance their biosecurity measures to struggle chicken flu.

The U.S. has additionally elevated imports of eggs from South Korea, Turkey, Brazil and different international locations. In accordance with Wells Fargo Agri-Meals Institute Sector Supervisor Kevin Bergquist, the quantity of egg and egg product imports elevated 77.5% throughout the first three months of the 12 months in comparison with the identical interval a 12 months in the past.

The antitrust division of the U.S. Division of Justice can be investigating Cal-Maine Meals, the biggest U.S. egg producer, which provides round 20% of America's eggs. Cal-Maine confirmed the investigation in early April..

Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine stated its web earnings greater than tripled to $508.5 million in its most up-to-date quarter, which ended March 1.