Did Trump save your omelettes? Egg prices have plummeted more than 50% during his 2nd term — experts say there's one ‘overwhelming' reason

And he’s not wrong. Egg prices have dropped precipitously, falling from $4.95 per dozen in January 2025 to just $2.27 in August, a 54% decline, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the reasons behind the price drop are less about politics and more about, well, the birds and the bees.

Why prices dropped

One of the biggest factors behind the record-breaking surge in egg prices was a spike in Avian flu, which decimated flocks of fowl across the country and dramatically reduced the supply of eggs. Now that the outbreak is over, birds are multiplying once more, meaning the number of eggs has grown and prices have recovered.

"That's [Avian flu] been the big factor, and it's overwhelming everything else," Michael Walden, professor of economics at North Carolina State University, told NPR.

The Trump administration did assist with containing that outbreak, strengthening biosecurity measures (including earmarking $100 million into avian flu research and vaccine development) and expediting relief for farmers, helping them repopulate their flocks in a shorter timeframe.

At the same time, the USDA boosted egg imports at the height of the price jumps, bringing in 121 million dozen last year, versus just 29.8 million dozen in 2024.

Some of those benefits, though, have been negated with tariff-based price increases. And the ongoing war in Iran has spiked the price of fuel, particularly diesel, which farmers use for equipment.

Food price concerns

While eggs are costing less than they did nearly two years ago, food prices overall have increased 2.7% in the past year, as of the end of August. And many food groups are expected to see notable increases this year.

The USDA predicts beef prices will increase 9.4% this year, while fresh vegetables will cost 5.7% more. Sugar and sweets will see a 6.6% price hike, and non-alcoholic beverages (ranging from carbonated drinks to coffee) are forecast to increase by 4.2% in 2026.