What is causing the dramatic surge in egg prices across the United States and what are its broader implications?

Egg prices in the United States have skyrocketed by 15% due to a devastating bird flu outbreak that has severely impacted chicken stocks nationwide. This has resulted in empty shelves and prices reaching as high as $12 per dozen in some stores—more than double the previous costs. The crisis has pushed overall inflation to 3% in January, worse than economists expected. The egg price surge creates significant political challenges, particularly for President Trump who campaigned on reducing food costs after criticizing the Biden administration's handling of inflation. With the USDA predicting an additional 20% increase in egg prices this year, American households face mounting grocery bills that could influence future policymaking and political responses to economic pressures.