Progress Seen in Bird Flu Response and Egg Price Drop
The U.S. government has reported strong early progress on its five-pronged plan to fight avian influenza and reduce egg prices. Just weeks after the plan was launched, egg prices have dropped significantly, and support for farmers is expanding.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins shared the update in a stakeholder briefing. “Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting the relief they need, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” she said. “USDA is making targeted investments and driving innovation to keep our food supply strong and affordable —delivering real results for American families and producers.”
Since February 26, wholesale egg prices have nearly halved, falling from $8.53 to $4.08 per dozen. The decline is credited to the effective rollout of the government’s strategy. The first area of focus is biosecurity, where over 130 poultry facilities have undergone checks in 2025. USDA is covering up to 75% of the costs for key improvements.
The second step is farmer relief. The compensation rate for affected layer hens rose to $16.94 per bird, a 2.41x increase. This is helping farmers recover faster and restock their flocks.
The third focus is on reducing regulatory burdens. The USDA is working with the FDA and industry leaders to explore flexible solutions that keep food safe and expand supply.
The fourth step involves investing $100 million in avian flu research. This includes vaccine development and studies on disease prevention, with support from CDC, HHS, and NIH. Funding will go to projects improving biosecurity, exploring vaccines, and managing outbreaks. A webinar for interested applicants will be held on April 1 at 12 p.m. ET.
Lastly, the USDA is adjusting trade flows to boost local supply. Egg imports from Turkey and South Korea have been secured, while U.S. exports have dropped 8%, helping to stabilize domestic prices.
These combined efforts reflect a strong, science-driven response to support farmers and consumers.