Eggs and milk, once budget-friendly, are now a wallet-draining reality. What caused the price change? Across America, Americans have been complaining about why prices of eggs and milk have gone up. As we go from 1-digit prices to now two-digit prices, what has happened?
What’s causing the shortage?
Why prices have been so high lately for eggs is due to the Avian Flu Epidemic. According to Forbes Newspaper, they say “USDA’s” Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the outbreak has impacted nearly 110 million birds, including egg-laying hens, since January 2022, making it the worst outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history.”
Forty-eight states have been able to detect the flu in their eggs, with Utah, Washington, and Oregon being key egg-producing regions.
Along with eggs, many organic milk brands were recalled as the Avian Flu hit the dairy herds. The FDA has stated against drinking or getting milk because of this issue.
States such as Texas, Kansas, and Michigan, have fallen big victim to this scare for dairy.
High prices
Since so many dairy products and eggs are contaminated by the Flu, the prices have gone significantly up. As of right now, it’s hard to find a bird that doesn’t have this illness to lay eggs.
Also, with dairy, there were 19,688 cases of milk recalled because of the flu as well. Therefore, both eggs and dairy products are hard to acquire now, so sales prices have bumped up dramatically.
For example, in 2024, a dozen eggs were around $4.95 to $8.00, depending on the brand you would get. Now, in 2025, you can find a cart of a dozen going for $10-15.
Milk is usually 8 dollars, depending on what brand you get, but because of the flu, it has risen to 15 dollars. This uproar in prices has gotten Americans extremely mad.
How to avoid getting the flu
Fortunately, the risk of a person contracting the illness is low; federal officials recommend that customers should only purchase refrigerated eggs. Also, that one bought should be put immediately into the fridge at home.
Pasteurized eggs have a lower chance of infection since the process kills viruses and bacteria. The same is true for dairy products. Make sure your products are pasteurized and kept in a safe environment.
Raw milk, soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt can be contaminated with germs that can cause serious illness or death.
What’s to come
Sadly, produce will not be getting cheaper anytime soon. As we hold onto hope, the United States Department of Agriculture states, “The prices will increase by 20.3% in 2025.”
Sadly, the flu will never go away anytime soon, but we prevent us from obtaining it. If you cook your eggs and keep them refrigerated, you will have little to no risk of containing the illness.
If milk isn’t pasteurized, you have a higher chance of contracting this illness. So, you need to make sure your milk and dairy are pasteurized.