Fear of chicken meat shortages surge after egg price crisis: How avian flu could impact meat and poultry prices in 2025

The prices of eggs continue to be a major issue in the United States, as the growing threat of avian flu continues to cut production targets. A carton of a dozen eggs is selling for anywhere between $6.00 and $8.00 in some regions of the US, and some consumers are seeing even higher prices.

It does not look like the virus is going anywhere, as it spreads to dairy cows across California and Nevada, raising fears that meat prices could skyrocket in the coming weeks and months.

Could meat and poultry be next?

According to consumer price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for meat and poultry rose by 2.6 percent, between July to December 2024.

Although the CDC’s detection systems have picked up the virus in poultry plants where animals are slaughtered and enter food supply chains, the outbreaks have been limited, and the health organization continues to say that the risk to human health is low. However, based on data from the last month, eighty-eight commercial flocks have seen positive cases of avian flu, with another 39 outbreaks in backyard flocks. All in all, based on the number of birds present at the locations that have seen birds test positive, more than 21.5 million birds have been impacted.

However, when it comes to the threat to poultry and meat supply chains, experts say the risk is low. On January 31, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reaffirmed its confidence that the country’s “meat supply is safe.”

The agency touted its “rigorous meat inspection process,” which relies on the presence of “veterinarians who are present at all Federal livestock slaughter facilities” as well as “FSIS personnel [who] inspect each animal before slaughter.” The protections do not end there, with the USDA also stating that “all cattle carcasses must pass a second inspection after slaughter and be determined to be fit to enter the human food supply.” The most recent update also explains that of the “common retail cuts of meat” that were tested as a part of this surveillance system, none tested positive for H5N1 Influenza A virus, otherwise known as bird or avian flu.

Additionally price forcasts from the USDA which include the risks posed by the virus, have not predicted a major increase in the price of beef and pork, with both expected to fall or stay within the two percent marker. which include the risks posed by the virus, have not predicted a major increase in the price of beef and pork, with both expected to fall or stay within the two percent marker..

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