Poultry Product Prices 

The poultry industry has faced many challenges throughout the last few years navigating rising production costs, viral diseases, and the associated flock loss. These pressures have been the driving force behind sharp price movements, shifting consumer consumption patterns, and volatile flock productivity levels.

Egg prices have experienced major volatility over time, but the last three years in particular have put egg prices on notice to consumers nationwide. Due to the supply shortage driven by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), egg prices skyrocketed, hitting record highs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that average retail egg prices were $4.55 for the month of May, down 11% from the previous month, but still up nearly 70% from a year ago.

Boneless chicken breast prices have increased 2% from a year ago after prices peaked back in September 2022 at $4.75/lb. While boneless chicken breast prices have not experienced the same degree of volatility that we have seen in egg prices due to supply shortages, there has still been a steady increase in prices month-to-month. Average monthly prices were around $3 in early 2015 and have risen to $4.22. As shown in Figure 1, the rate at which egg prices have increased has been much more pronounced than that of chicken breast and whole chicken.

 

Figure 1: Monthly average price trends of poultry products 2015-2025

Supply 

Flock sizes and productivity levels have varied significantly throughout the last several years. While...