The high price of eggs as of February 7, 2025, is primarily due to the ongoing avian flu outbreak, which has led to the culling of millions of chickens and a resulting supply shortage. However, assigning fault depends on the perspective:
Primary Cause: Avian Flu
The H5N1 avian flu outbreak, which has killed or led to the culling of over 130 million birds since 2022, is the main driver of egg shortages and high prices.
This is a natural outbreak, not a policy decision, though how governments respond affects the severity.
Potential Fault: Government Response
Biden Administration (Pre-2025)
Critics argue that the USDA and CDC under Biden did not do enough to contain the spread early on.
Some claim that decisions to cull large numbers of chickens aggressively may have worsened supply chain disruptions.
Others argue that inflationary policies and spending under Biden contributed to rising costs, exacerbating food price increases.
Trump Administration (2025–Present)
Some blame Trump's administration for reducing funding for global health monitoring programs, potentially weakening the ability to respond to the outbreak effectively.
Trump’s focus on deregulation and cutting funding for the USDA and food safety agencies may have reduced oversight on poultry health measures.
Others claim that Trump has been using egg prices as a political tool rather than implementing effective price stabilization policies.
Economic & Market Factors
Corporate Price Gouging?
Some suspect major poultry producers and grocery chains are exploiting the crisis to drive up prices beyond necessary levels.
The egg industry has a history of colluding to fix prices, as seen in past lawsuits against major producers.
Supply Chain Issues
Avian flu is global, and international trade restrictions have limited imports of eggs.
Feed and labor costs have increased due to broader inflationary pressures.
Who is to Blame?
If you lean anti-Biden, you might blame his handling of inflation, supply chain issues, and aggressive culling policies.
If you lean anti-Trump, you might argue his administration failed to contain the crisis and cut funding to key programs.
If you see this as a market failure, you might argue that corporate interests are driving prices higher than necessary.
In reality, the avian flu is the root cause, but government policies and market behavior have influenced how severe the impact has been.
