November 10

11/10 - Egg prices (large) hit record highs earlier this year, averaging $8.26/dozen in February – then dropped steadily to a 2-year low of $1.69 in October. But don’t get lulled to sleep. Fall has arrived, birds are migrating, and avian flu is back in the news. In 2024, there were no outbreaks from July to October – then all hell broke loose in November. We lost 20% of the egg-laying flock last season, and year-over-year egg production is still behind year-ago levels. So far, just 3 outbreaks this season (Sept/Oct) - totaling 5.3M table egg layers (1.8% of total). Holiday demand, plus the likelihood of more HPAI outbreaks, could push egg prices significantly higher for Nov/Dec. Turkey farms have had 31 outbreaks this season, between Aug 28 and Nov 9, totaling 1.8M birds. (1% of total), furthering supply issues for a flock that was already 3% below year-ago levels. Whole turkey prices (16 lb toms) averaged $1.75/lb in October vs. $1.07 a year ago.