Why are eggs still so expensive in the US?

Eggs are still expensive in the US mainly because supply remains tight, and the biggest reason for that is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu). Outbreaks can force producers to cull laying hens, and it takes months to replace them, so the egg supply does not recover quickly.

Other factors also matter:

1. Production costs are still relatively high
   Feed, labor, energy, packaging, and transportation all feed into the final price. Even when some of these costs ease, they can remain above pre-pandemic norms in many areas.

2. Demand stays steady
   Eggs are a staple item, so people keep buying them even when prices rise. That makes prices slower to fall when supply is limited.

3. Some housing and welfare rules add costs
   In some states, laws or market requirements push producers toward cage-free systems, which can require new buildings, equipment, and higher operating costs. This especially affects cage-free and specialty eggs.

Bottom line

The main driver is bird flu reducing supply, with still-elevated operating costs and steady demand helping keep prices high. Prices can vary a lot by region, store, and egg type.