Eggs

The shell egg market with no futures and the sharpest grocery price swings of the staples.

Overview

The US layer flock of over 300 million hens produces more than 90 billion eggs yearly, priced through negotiated and spot markets reported by USDA, with no liquid futures since the old exchange contract faded. Avian influenza is the market: outbreaks cull millions of layers at a stroke, and the waves from 2022 onward cut flocks hard, sending retail prices past 4 and then 6 dollars a dozen in spikes. Supply answers slowly because replacement pullets need months before laying. Holiday baking and Easter set seasonal demand peaks, cage free mandates in states such as California raise the cost floor, and eggs clear fast since they keep only weeks.