US egg prices have seen a significant decline of 60% from the record high of $6.23 per dozen in March 2025, now averaging $2.50 as of February 2026. This drop is largely due to improved supplies following bird flu outbreaks that had previously decimated flocks. Mark Jordan, executive director of LEAP Market Analytics, noted that the number of egg-laying hens rose to 315.8 million as of March 1, 2026, an 8% increase from the previous year. Despite this positive news for consumers, farmers are struggling, often selling eggs at or below their production cost of $1.05 per dozen, not including labor and transportation. The situation is exacerbated by rising feed costs linked to global events, such as the Iran war. Additionally, US imports of shell eggs increased by 657% in 2025 compared to the previous year, helping to stabilize prices. However, the poultry industry remains vulnerable, with 5.22 million birds culled due to ongoing bird flu outbreaks in March 2026.