American consumers are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store, and one item stands out—eggs. Over the past year, the price of a dozen eggs has skyrocketed by 50%, leaving shoppers frustrated and scrambling for affordable alternatives.
The cause? A devastating outbreak of bird flu has swept through poultry farms nationwide, killing millions of hens and drastically reducing egg supplies.
According to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 13 million hens have either died from the disease or been culled to prevent further spread. This, combined with strong demand during the winter holiday season, has caused egg prices to reach record highs.
For President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20, 2025, this situation poses a significant challenge. He continually blamed Biden for grocery store inflation, but now, just weeks into his term, consumers are turning to him for solutions.
Democrats aren’t wasting any time pointing fingers, accusing Trump of not fulfilling his promise to lower prices “immediately.” They argue that the price surge demonstrates that inflation isn’t an issue a president can simply flip a switch to resolve.
Meanwhile, the Biden Administration left behind a bird flu epidemic that continues to spiral out of control. The virus spreads rapidly among poultry, and experts warn that it may take months to stabilize the industry.
Farmers are struggling to replenish their flocks, and with new infections still emerging, there’s no guarantee that the worst is over.
The new administration faces pressure to act quickly. During her confirmation hearing last month, Agriculture Secretary Rollins emphasized that addressing animal disease outbreaks would be a top priority. However, as prices keep rising, frustrated consumers are inquiring about the immediate steps the government can take to provide assistance.
Some economists think that prices may begin to ease later this year as farmers rebuild their supplies and the virus slows down. However, if the outbreak continues, egg shortages might extend into the summer, keeping prices high.
For now, the bird flu crisis has become the latest challenge for the Trump Administration.
