According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, in March, the consumer price index for eggs increased 5.9%, 60.4% over the year ago level, with an average price of $6.23 per dozen, up $0.33 per dozen from last month.

Iowa consistently produces the most eggs of any U.S. state. In 2019, chickens on its farms produced just over 17 billion eggs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the state's flocks, like those elsewhere in the U.S., have been devastated by avian flu, leading to higher egg prices and some shortages.

Here are several reasons why:

Avian flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is believed that more than 168 million birds have been affected between January 2022 and April 16.

The cost of fighting avian flu

Chicken farmers are spending more money to protect their flocks, adding to the egg prices.

Inflation and supply chain

Fuel, packaging and labor costs all have gone up considerably the last few years.

The price of corn went up to its highest price point in nine years in 2022. Wheat prices also have increased as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a global wheat producer.

Cage-free trend

The push for cage-free chickens has been around for decades, but it has gathered a lot of momentum in California.

California’s 2018 ban took effect in 2022. Only eggs from cage-free hens can be sold in California, no matter where they are produced.

Top states

The five largest shell egg-producing states are home to approximately 45.4% of all laying hens in the U.S., and the top 10 states comprise 66.2% of egg production. California was in the top 10 in 2022 but has dropped out.

Here are the top 10 states with the most laying hens in 2024:

1. Iowa

2. Ohio

3. Indiana

4. Pennsylvania

5. Texas

6. Georgia

7. North Carolina

8. Arkansas

9. Mississippi

10. Michigan

According to the United Egg Producers, egg production totaled 93.1 billion in 2024, down 1% from 2023. The U.S. had 311 million commercial laying hens at the end of 2024, down 3% from 2023. On average each laying hen produced 301 eggs per year in 2024, up from 264 eggs per year in 2000. They say the increased productivity of hens is due to improved health and disease prevention, nutrition, genetics and flock management.

Consumption down

Per capita egg consumption was nearly 295 eggs a year in 2019. It has slightly declined since and was 273 in 2024.

Per capita consumption is a measure of total egg production, less exports, divided by the total U.S. population. It does not represent demand.

Egging it on

Just about every county and municipality in California has different regulations for backyard chickens regarding the number, size of their coop and manure disposal.

Good sources for information are local animal control agencies and backyardchickens.com.

AVIAN FLU BASICS

Counties with bird flu detections since 2022

States affected: 50

Counties affected: 681

Reported outbreaks: 1,688

Highly pathogenic avian flu viruses have been detected in U.S. wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry and backyard or hobbyist flocks beginning in January 2022. These are the first detections of bird flu in the U.S. since 2016.

As part of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Farmworker Enhanced Surveillance Program, CDC is working with pharmacy networks, eTrueNorth and Walgreens on a pilot program to provide free testing of symptomatic persons in California and Colorado that have confirmed H5N1 bird flu infections in people, poultry or livestock.

BIRD FLU Q & A

H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers. The current public health risk is low.

Can I get avian flu from eating poultry or eggs?

No, but you should still use proper food safety practices.

How many human cases in the U.S.? 70 to date.

Cases Exposure (Source)

41 Dairy Herds (cattle)

24 Farms and Culling

2 Other Animal Exposure

3 Exposure Source Unknown

How many deaths?

One Can it spread person-to-person?

There is no known person-to-person spread.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?

Bird flu may cause birds to have respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and coughing or sneezing, diarrhea, less energy, decreased egg production or sometimes sudden death.

In humans, bird flu may cause illnesses similar to influenza (the flu) with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches. Less commonly, humans may have diarrhea and vomiting and, more rarely, seizures.

How is bird flu typically spread?

Most infections occur when humanshave contact with sick or dead infected animals without wearing personal protective equipment.

How can cows get bird flu?

Many different bird species may be infected with bird flu, and the infectious virus is shed in their saliva, mucous and feces. The shed infectious virus may then infect other animals, including cows.

How can people protect themselves to prevent bird flu?

Avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals. This includes birds, poultry or other animals. For those who work with animals, full personal protective equipment should be used when in close or direct contact with animals or material that is potentially contaminated with the virus. This includes an N95 mask or equivalent, goggles, gloves, gown, head cover and boot covers.

Sources: USDA, Backyardchickens.com, American Egg Board, Humane Society, The Associated Press, United Egg Producers, Business Insider, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UC Davis Health