NEW YORK — Egg prices again reached a record high in February, as the bird flu continues to run rampant and Easter and Passover approach.
The latest monthly Consumer Price Index showed a dozen Grade A eggs cost an average of $5.90 in U.S. cities in February, up 10.4% from a year ago. That eclipsed January's record-high price of $4.95.
A sign is mounted on a shelf of eggs at a grocery store Feb. 28 in Northbrook, Ill.
Avian flu has forced farmers to slaughter more than 166 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens. Just since the start of the year, more than 30 million egg layers have been killed.
If prices remain high, it will be the third year in a row consumers have faced sticker shock ahead of Easter on April 20 and Passover, which starts on the evening of April 12, both occasions in which eggs play prominent roles.
The price had consistently been below $2 a dozen for decades before the disease struck. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects egg prices to rise 41% this year over last year’s average of $3.17 per dozen.
People are also reading…
But there may be light at the end of the tunnel. The USDA reported last week that egg shortages are easing and wholesale prices are dropping, which might provide relief on the retail side before this year’s late Easter, which is three weeks later than last year. It said there had been no major bird flu outbreak for two weeks.
“Shoppers have begun to see shell egg offerings in the dairycase becoming more reliable although retail price levels have yet to adjust and remain off-putting to many,†the USDA wrote in the March 7 report.
David Anderson, a professor and extension economist for livestock and food marketing at Texas A&M University, said wholesale figures dropping is a good sign that prices could go down as shoppers react to the high prices by buying fewer eggs.
“What that should tell us is things are easing a little bit in terms of prices,†he said. “So going forward, the next CPI report may very well indicate falling egg prices.â€
However, he doesn't expect lasting changes until bird stock can be replenished and production can be replaced.
“Record high prices is a market signal to producers to produce more, but it takes time to be able to produce more, and we just haven’t had enough time for that to happen yet,†he said. “But I do think it’s going to happen. But it’s going to take some more months to get there.â€
Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, said wholesale prices dropping is good news, but noted that increased demand for Easter could drive a temporary increase in prices.
“In addition, egg farmers are closely watching spring migration of wild birds, recognizing that wild birds are a leading cause of the spread of this virus and pose a great and ongoing threat to egg-laying flocks,†she said.
Advocacy groups and others have also called for a probe into whether egg producers have used the avian flu to price gouge. But egg producers say the avian flu is solely behind the elevated prices.
Meanwhile, restaurants have added surcharges and made other changes to offset the cost of eggs.
The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to combat bird flu, including a $500 million investment to help farmers bolster biosecurity measures, $400 million in additional aid for farmers whose flocks have been impacted by avian flu, and $100 million to research and potentially develop vaccines and therapeutics for U.S. chicken flocks, among other measures. But it will likely take a while for that plan to make an impact.
Shocked by the price of eggs? Here are 11 inflation-proof groceries for healthy eating in 2025
Shocked by the price of eggs? Here are 11 inflation-proof groceries for healthy eating in 2025
In recent years, more and more Americans are noting groceries as a source of financial stress. , 70% of shoppers say they struggle to pay for their groceries and 62% say they avoid buying snacks in order to save money.Ìý
Americans took those concerns to the ballot box in November 2024, with reporting high grocery and gas prices as a factor in their decision for the presidential election.Ìý
set out to find how much the prices of healthy groceries have gone up in the U.S.—how much did the cost of eggs really increase in the past year?—and which items have been the most resistant to inflation to help support your healthy eating goals and your budget in 2025.
A balanced diet that includes whole, unprocessed foods is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy weight and overall health and well-being. In fact, research shows that , including , , and , may be prevented with lifestyle changes like better diet and . But eating whole foods can feel more expensive than processed options in the grocery store, especially with so much price volatility in recent years. In 2022, for instance, overall food prices .Ìý
It's possible to add healthier options to your shopping list and still stick to your budget. Hers looked at 23 grocery items, including unprocessed meats, eggs, beans, fruits, and vegetables to uncover the most affordable items to incorporate into your meal planning, flagging the items that have seen dramatic increases—and even a few that have had a decrease in price.Ìý
Here's how inflation has impacted healthy food prices so you can shop the grocery store without breaking the bank.Ìý
Key Findings
- Potatoes, fish and seafood, and canned/frozen vegetables saw the biggest price drops over the last year.
- Eggs had the most expensive price increase ²¹³ÙÌý37.5%.
- Most meat and fresh vegetables became more expensive, with annual increases ranging from 0.7% to up to 5.1%.
11 Groceries With the Least Impact from Inflation
Now here's the full list of healthy foods and how they've fared against inflation.
Healthy Groceries, Ranked from Lowest to Highest Inflation Rates
1. Potatoes (-2%)
2. Shelf stable fish and seafood (-1.9%)
3. Frozen fish and seafood (-1.7%)
4. Canned vegetables (tied) (-1.4%)
4. Frozen vegetables (tied) (-1.4%)
6. Fresh apples (-0.9%)
7. Fresh fish and seafood (-0.8%)
8. Bacon and breakfast sausage (-0.4%)
9. Bananas (-0.2%)
10. Cheese (tied) (+0.2%)
10. Citrus fruits (tied) (+0.2%)
12. Fresh whole chicken (+0.7%)
13. Fresh and frozen chicken parts (+1%)
14. Lettuce (+1.1%)
15. Tomatoes (+1.3%)
16. Ham (+2.3%)
17. Other fresh vegetables (+2.9%)
18. Uncooked beef roasts (+4.2%)
19. Uncooked ground beef (+4.8%)
20. Uncooked beef steaks (+5.0%)
21. Pork chops (+5.1%)
22. Dried beans, peas, and lentils (+7.4%)
23. Eggs (+37.5%)
.
Methodology: How Hers Ranked Grocery Inflation
To identify how grocery prices have changed in the last year, Hers pulled 12-month price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The list focuses on whole foods, including unprocessed meats and other (like eggs and dried beans), vegetables, and fruit. Canned fruit was excluded because of the potential for added and each item was ranked based on the change in price over a one-year period, with the lowest price increases ranking best on the list of inflation-proof healthy groceries.
3 Tips For Eating Healthy on a Budget
Incorporating unprocessed, whole foods is an important part of any health journey, whether you're trying to lose weight, manage or prevent a medical condition, or simply want to . Follow these three tips to eat healthy without blowing your food budget.
- Focus on a balanced diet: One of the best you can build is to eat nutritious foods. Be purposeful in your grocery choices to include more vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Focusing on specific unprocessed foods for meals and simplifies your shopping list and helps you avoid food waste.Ìý
- Pay attention to serving sizes: is another important part of balancing nutrition and your grocery budget. Instead of eating less, fill your plate with more nutritious options, like more veggies. Understand your and find out your recommended serving size for different food groups to fill your plate and feel satiated. You may find you have delicious leftovers that provide you with extra nutritious meals from the same shopping trip.ÌýÂ
- Buy in bulk: Research shows that the lowest price points for healthy eating are . Compare prices at multiple grocery stores, including bulk stores, to find the best prices on your favorite ingredients. You can always freeze extra produce or meat to prevent it from going bad while still taking advantage of lower prices.Ìý
Even as grocery prices fluctuate month by month, stay motivated to eat healthy by incorporating more affordable ingredients into your meal plan.Ìý
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
