Rent-a-chicken: A solution to high egg prices and shortages
Some people are turning to creative ways to circumvent the high cost of eggs by renting their own chickens.
If you’re a consumer who was hoping the price of eggs would come back down to Earth soon, you may want to avert your eyes.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report Tuesday in which the agency predicts egg prices will increase by 41.1% in 2025, with a 3.4% increase for the prices of all food also forecasted.
According to the USDA, retail egg prices increased by 13.8% in January 2025 after rising by 8.4% in December 2024.
“Retail egg prices continue to experience volatile month-to-month changes due to an outbreak of HPAI that began in 2022,” the department said in the report. “HPAI contributes to elevated egg prices by reducing egg-layer flocks and egg production.”
The agency said over 18 million commercial egg layers were affected by the bird flu in January 2025, which represents the “highest monthly total since the outbreak began in 2022,” fueling an egg price increase of 53% from January 2024 to January 2025.
What is the current status of the bird flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H5 bird flu is “widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows” with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
“While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures,” the agency said on its website.
The CDC says there have been 70 cases of bird flu recorded among humans one of which led to death.
Other food prices also expected to increase in 2025
In addition to eggs, the prices of other foods are also expected to increase in 2025, according to the USDA report.
Other food price increases include:
- Beef and veal prices are predicted to increase 3.2%
- Pork prices are predicted to increase 1.2%
- Prices for fresh fruit are predicted to increase by 2.4%
- Prices for sugar and sweets are predicted to increase by 6.4%
- Prices for nonalcoholic beverages are predicted to increase by 4.4%
Poultry prices are predicted to experience no change on average in 2025, the USDA said in its report.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
