If you walked into a grocery store a year ago, you probably felt like you needed a small personal loan just to make an omelet. Honestly, it was ridiculous. We were seeing prices hit $5, $6, or even $8 in some cities. But as of January 2026, the vibe in the dairy aisle has shifted.
The average price of eggs today is hovering around $2.71 to $3.59 per dozen for Grade A large eggs, depending on which government data point you look at first. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average actually sat at $2.71 as we closed out December, and while some specialty markets are a bit higher, the downward trend is the real story here.
We’ve officially moved past the "Great Egg Crisis" of 2025.
What’s the Damage? Breaking Down the Numbers
Basically, if you're paying more than four bucks for a standard carton of conventional eggs right now, you might be getting overcharged. Or you live in a very expensive zip code.
To give you some perspective, let's look at how the math has changed over the last few months. In March 2025, we were at an all-time peak. The national average was a staggering $6.23. Some states, like Florida and California, were seeing prices north of $7.00 for a basic dozen. Fast forward to today, and we are seeing a year-over-year deflation of about 22.47%.
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The Current Price Breakdown by Type
It's not just "eggs" anymore, right? You've got options, and they all cost something different.
- Conventional Caged Eggs: These are the ones hitting that $1.53 to $2.71 range.
- Cage-Free (Non-Organic): Usually sitting around $2.18 to $3.23.
- Nutritionally Enhanced (Omega-3): These are still holding a premium at about $3.28 to $3.83.
- Pasture-Raised / Organic: Expect to pay $4.99 to $6.99. These haven't dropped as sharply because their production costs are tied to more expensive feed and labor-intensive farming.
Why did the average price of eggs today drop so fast?
You've probably heard the term HPAI—Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. It’s a mouthful, but it basically refers to the bird flu that decimated flocks in 2024 and early 2025. When millions of hens have to be culled, the supply of eggs vanishes overnight.
Supply and demand is a brutal teacher. When the supply drops by 10%, the price doesn't just go up by 10%—it skyrockets.
But here’s why things are better now:
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- Flock Recovery: Farmers have been aggressively rebuilding. It takes about five to six months for a chick to start laying, and those "replacement hens" from the middle of last year are now in full production.
- Stability in the Supply Chain: Experts like Jack Buffington from the University of Denver have pointed out that our supply chain is highly centralized. While that makes us vulnerable to outbreaks, it also means that once the big facilities are back online, the volume of eggs hitting the market is massive.
- Wholesale Collapse: Wholesale prices (what the grocery store pays) have actually plummeted faster than retail prices. In the Midwest, wholesale prices for large white eggs dropped to around $0.68 to $0.93 recently.
The Regional Tax: Where You Live Matters
Not everyone is seeing $2.71 at the register. The USDA’s January 2026 reports show a lot of "undertone" variation.
In New York, the delivered-to-store price for a dozen cartoned eggs is about $0.74 wholesale, which usually translates to a retail price of roughly $1.99 to $2.50. Meanwhile, California has its own set of rules. Because of strict animal welfare laws (like Proposition 12), California-compliant eggs have a benchmark wholesale price of $1.14. You’re likely seeing those on shelves for $3.50 or more.
The Midwest remains the "Egg Basket." Prices there are consistently the lowest in the country because that's where the birds are. If you're in Chicago or Des Moines, you're winning the egg game right now.
Is the Cheap Egg Era Back for Good?
Sorta. But there's a catch.
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While the average price of eggs today is a relief, the industry is still "playing Russian roulette," as some experts put it. Our massive, concentrated farms are efficient, but one more bird flu mutation could send us right back to $8.00 a dozen.
There’s also the "retailer margin" factor. Analysts from Egg Industry News have noted that even when wholesale prices crashed in late 2025, some retailers were slow to lower their prices at the shelf. They were basically "padding" their profits after a tough year.
What Most People Get Wrong About Egg Prices
A lot of folks think that because gas prices go up, eggs go up. While transport is a cost, it’s actually feed costs—specifically corn and soybean meal—that dictate the floor of the price. In 2026, feed costs have stabilized at around 47.7 cents per dozen. As long as those crops stay steady and the birds stay healthy, we shouldn't see another massive spike this year.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Grocery Run
Since you now know the "real" price, here is how you should play it:
- Check the "Store Brand" carefully: Often, the gap between the national brand and the store brand is wider than usual right now as stores try to clear inventory.
- Look for the "18-pack" value: The price per egg on an 18-pack of conventional eggs is currently hitting record lows, sometimes under 15 cents an egg.
- Don't panic-buy: The USDA projections for the rest of 2026 show production hitting 9.2 million dozen—way up from 2025. There is no shortage on the horizon.
- Track the BLS Data: If you’re a budget nerd, keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases. The "Average Price: Eggs, Grade A, Large" series is updated monthly and is the most honest look at what the country is actually paying.
Prices are finally back to a place where a Sunday brunch doesn't feel like a luxury expense. Enjoy it while the flocks are healthy.