Why Trump’s plan to combat bird flu won’t bring egg prices down immediately

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Trump administration’s $1 billion plan to combat avian flu won’t solve soaring egg prices overnight, experts say. The spread of avian flu has killed millions of chickens across the nation, shrinking the supply of eggs and driving prices higher.

The average price for a dozen large grade-A eggs hit $4.95 in January, double the cost from a year ago and surpassing the previous record set in January 2023. Last week, the Trump administration announced a five-point plan and a $1 billion investment to combat the influenza and bring egg costs down. This includes biosecurity measures on egg farms, financial relief for producers, and a faster approval process to help them start operations again.

The administration will also consider vaccinating egg-laying chickens, removing regulations on egg producers, and importing more eggs from overseas. These efforts, while generally applauded by the egg industry, likely won’t bring egg prices down quickly. “I don’t think any of these initiatives are going to offer immediate relief," says Pooran Sharma, agricultural commodity analyst at investment bank Stephens.

Layer chickens are usually kept in closed indoor space, but the avian flu, often carried by wild birds, can be transmitted through water, soil, or even air. Many egg producers already have biosecurity measures in place, such as fencing and barriers to keep wild birds away, restricted personnel access, sanitation protocols, and regular disinfection. The USDA said it will expand an effort to assess and audit whether egg producers have adequate biosecurity measures and to help them improve current practices.