• Egg prices in April fell 12.7%, the largest monthly drop since March 1984.
• Average price for a dozen Grade A eggs reached $5.12, down from $6.23 in March.
• Prices remain 79% higher than last year, reflecting ongoing bird flu issues.
• Government statistics show egg imports surged by 77.5% in early 2025 compared to last year.
• The USDA is investigating Cal-Maine Foods amidst the ongoing price fluctuations.

U.S. retail egg prices fell sharply in April, marking a 12.7% month-to-month decline, the steepest decrease since March 1984. The average cost for a dozen Grade A eggs settled at $5.12, plummeting from a record high of $6.23 in March, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released this week. This downturn is significant, representing the first price drop since October 2024, yet it comes amid a backdrop of historically high prices, primarily due to ongoing outbreaks of bird flu affecting supply, according to NPR.

Despite the encouraging decline in prices, analysts warn that they remain nearly 79% higher than the average price of $2.86 per dozen reported the previous year. As Stephen Kates of Bankrate noted, "Lower prices are a welcome relief... [but] glosses over how high prices have become due to the bird flu epidemic," indicating that consumers should not expect sustainable price relief in the long run. The BLS reports that the egg price index increased 49% year-over-year, further highlighting the volatility of food prices, according to Business Insider and NPR.

Experts also point out that the recent decrease in egg prices could be attributed to a dip in consumer demand following Easter, as well as fewer bird flu outbreaks reported in recent weeks. In April, only three outbreaks were noted, down from 12 in March, which positively affected the supply stability, according to David L. Ortega, a professor at Michigan State University. However, he cautioned that the trajectory of bird flu remains uncertain, and future outbreaks could trigger price increases again, as seen when outbreaks severely affected large poultry producers, according to Newsweek and NPR.

In an effort to stabilize prices, the U.S. government has increased egg imports notably, rising 77.5% from the previous year. This includes imports from countries such as South Korea and Turkey. Additionally, the Department of Justice is investigating Cal-Maine Foods, a major egg supplier, in relation to the ongoing price fluctuations. This investigation coincides with Cal-Maine's reported surge in net income, indicating possible price manipulation as consumers continue to feel the pressure of high grocery bills, according to NPR and Business Insider.