Dive Brief:
- After the avian flu hit in 2015, half of the layers have already been replaced, according to the Egg Industry Center, which is based at Iowa State University.
- By midyear, flocks are projected to be near 100% pre-outbreak levels.
- Egg prices doubled, and in some cases, tripled to record highs in the summer of 2015 due to tight supplies.
Dive Insight:
The price of eggs and egg products is expected to decline in the first quarter of 2016 as the industry continues to recover from last summer's record highs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts an average price of $1.66 for a dozen large eggs this year, a decrease from an average of $1.84 in 2015.
Egg imports, fewer exports and an increase in production by unaffected farms have contributed to closing the supply gap, according to the American Egg Board (AEB), based in Park Ridge, Ill. "As the supply of egg products continues to recover, there will be ample availability for use in the food industry," said John Howeth, executive vice president, AEB, in a statement. "And barring any further incidents, we expect supply and pricing to regain their previous consistency."