US egg prices are expected to rise by more then 40% in 2025. What's in store for Wisconsin?
As egg prices reach record levels nationwide, Wisconsin is neither immune to the trend nor likely to see prices come down anytime soon, experts say.
Since 2022, avian flu outbreaks have killed of millions of hens across the country, triggering a nationwide egg shortage and rocketing egg prices. In January 2025, the national average price for a dozen large eggs reached $4.95 — surpassing the previous record set in January 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
So far, Wisconsin's bird flu outbreaks have been among turkey flocks, not hens, according to University of Wisconsin-Extension poultry specialist Ron Kean. Still, the state has felt the strain of egg shortages, with some Milwaukee grocery stores even setting egg purchase limits in recent weeks.
"Unfortunately, I don't see prices improving in the near future," Kean said. "We still don't have a handle on stopping bird flu."
Here's what's in store for egg prices for 2025, including when prices in Wisconsin may finally ease back down.
More: What to know about bird flu as wild birds across Wisconsin have tested positive for the virus
Nationally, it looks like egg prices will rise a bit more before they come back down.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report last month predicting egg prices will increase 41.1% this year, along with a 3.4% general increase for the prices of all food. Retail egg prices increased 13.8% in January 2025, on top of an 8.4% increase in December 2024, the agency said.
The agency said more than 18 million commercial egg layers were infected by bird flu in January 2025, which was the highest monthly total since the outbreak began in 2022. In the first two months of 2025, the U.S. lost 30 million hens, or about 10% of the country's total hen population, according to Kean.
"For some reason, biosecurity is not working, at least the current methods," Kean said of the national bird flu response.
In particular, Wisconsinites shopping for cage-free eggs should expect even steeper prices, Kean added.
Cage-free eggs, which are typically pricier than conventional eggs anyway, will get even more expensive as only 40% of the nation's flock is cage-free, and some states only allow the sale of eggs produced in cage-free housing. Though Wisconsin does not have such a law, it will still feel the impact of the shortages, Kean said.
"It's kind of like oil prices or gas prices," he said. "If they go up in one place, they tend to go up everywhere."
Though it's unclear when the bird flu outbreaks will subside, Kean said a decrease in egg demand could slightly lower prices in the next few months.
"Once we get past Easter, I would expect prices to come down somewhat," Kean said. "As we hit warmer weather, it's a little less baking going on, and people are maybe not eating as heavy breakfasts, so usually demand will go down as we get into the spring."
Here are other foods expected to become more expensive in 2025, according to the USDA report.
Beef and veal prices are predicted to increase 3.2%.
Pork prices, 1.2%.
Prices for fresh fruit, 2.4%
Prices for sugar and sweets, 6.4%
Prices for nonalcoholic beverages, 4.4%
Poultry prices are predicted to experience no change on average in 2025, the USDA said.
More: Might rising egg prices affect frozen custard in Wisconsin? This is what we heard
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When will eggs get cheaper in Wisconsin? The latest on grocery prices
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