From Critical Shortage to Excess Inventory in Less Than a Year
The US poultry industry experienced a dramatic shift from a health crisis to an oversupply in just under 12 months. While Mexico has shown price stability, Europe faces its own price increase.
Record Prices to a Drastic Drop
After reaching record prices at the beginning of 2025, egg prices in the US have experienced an unprecedented crash. In just one year, the retail price of a dozen eggs plummeted nearly 80%, dropping from $4.95 to $2.70, according to data from the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This correction is attributed to the restoration of production following the avian influenza crisis that hit the industry in 2022 and 2023. The health emergency forced the culling of over 150 million birds, causing a critical reduction in egg supply. At its peak, a carton of a dozen eggs cost more than $9 in some states, while restaurants rationed dishes and even attempted smuggling from Mexico.
From Critical Shortage to Oversupply
Starting in the second quarter of 2025, the replenishment of laying hens and lower seasonal demand generated an oversupply that crashed wholesale prices below a dollar per dozen. Retail prices normalized quickly, and eggs regained their status as an affordable protein source for households and food establishments.
Mexico Remains Stable; Europe Faces Tension
In Mexico, the impact was much more moderate. Although prices rose at the beginning of 2025, the kilo of white eggs averaged 39 pesos (around $1.80) at the beginning of 2026, with regional variations between 30 and 55 pesos. A package of 18 eggs costs around 53 pesos ($2.50) in supermarkets, while red eggs (more expensive due to bird type and feeding) exceed 70 pesos ($3.25).
Mexico, which is self-sufficient in egg production and one of the countries with the highest per capita consumption, avoided shortages thanks to the stability of its poultry system and containment measures. During the US crisis, there were even reported illegal cross-border egg smuggling from Mexico, where a dozen cost less than half. Authorities in both countries strengthened controls to prevent the spread of avian diseases.
Europe’s Inflationary Context
In Europe, the current situation is different. Although there was no health crisis of the US magnitude, egg prices have risen steadily. In countries like Spain, the annual increase exceeds 20%, and eggs remain among the foods with the highest inflation. The combination of isolated avian influenza outbreaks, high energy costs, and growing demand pushes consumer prices upward.
As the US market seems to have weathered the storm and the poultry sector breathes a sigh of relief post-recovery, Europe faces an inflationary context that keeps eggs as a strategic item in the basic basket. Mexico, meanwhile, has successfully navigated between these extremes, maintaining affordable prices without shortages. The US experience leaves a clear lesson: stability in the food sector depends on both health and productive planning.
Key Questions and Answers
- What caused the drastic drop in US egg prices? The restoration of production following the 2022-2023 avian influenza crisis led to an oversupply, driving down prices.
- How did Mexico manage to avoid egg shortages? Mexico’s self-sufficiency in egg production and stable poultry system, along with containment measures, helped prevent shortages.
- Why are egg prices rising in Europe? A combination of isolated avian influenza outbreaks, high energy costs, and growing demand has pushed up egg prices in Europe.
- What is the current status of egg prices in each region? In the US, prices have dropped significantly due to oversupply; Mexico maintains stable prices; and Europe faces rising egg prices amid inflation.
