As egg prices begin to settle after months of volatility, a new tariff plan from President Trump could push them right back up and potentially to record highs. The reciprocal tariffs strategy, which aims to address what Trump calls unfair global trade imbalances, is now placing new levies on dozens of countries, including key egg exporters like Turkey and South Korea.
Just last month, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had announced plans to import millions of eggs from those same countries to ease shortages caused by the ongoing avian flu crisis. That strategy now appears to be undermined, as Turkey and South Korea face fresh tariffs of 10 and 26 percent respectively essentially erasing any cost benefit of importing eggs from those markets.
Egg prices in the United States soared in 2024 following widespread outbreaks of avian flu that led to the culling of millions of hens. While the poultry population is beginning to bounce back, the USDA has warned that prices could rise by more than 57 percent in 2025. Although prices dipped slightly in recent weeks, wholesale costs remain about 60 percent higher than they were a year ago averaging around $3 per dozen.
Now, with Trump’s tariffs in place, the administration’s own plan to offset shortages with imported eggs is in conflict with its trade policy. The result: the cost of bringing eggs into the U.S. will rise and that’s likely to trickle down to shoppers.
In January and February alone, the U.S. brought in over 1.6 million dozen eggs. But that relief might soon be out of reach. Analysts warn that the added duties from the tariffs will boost prices at the register, as suppliers and retailers pass on their increased costs to everyday consumers.
Michael Ryan, a finance expert, explained that even though wholesale prices have technically dropped, the gap between wholesale and retail prices means grocery shoppers might not feel any relief. “We’ve been importing eggs to stabilize the supply,” he said. “Now with tariffs slapped on those imports, we’re looking at a price boomerang.”
Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan includes a standard 10 percent levy on most imports, plus additional duties on 57 countries with large trade surpluses with the U.S. These tariffs are calculated not by actual foreign duties, but by the U.S. trade deficit with each nation. The White House claims this plan could bring in more than $1 trillion annually revenue Trump says will be used to fund tax cuts.
However, not everyone is convinced. Financial literacy educator Alex Beene noted the irony of the situation: “Importing eggs was supposed to help drive prices down. But now the same countries we rely on are being hit with tariffs and those costs will fall right on the shoulders of consumers.”
In the U.S., egg prices are generally more volatile than in countries like Canada, largely because of a more concentrated supply chain and massive farm operations. In Canada, the average egg farm has around 25,000 hens; in the U.S., it’s not uncommon for farms to have over a million. That scale leaves American producers more vulnerable to disease-related disruptions.
Experts warn that prices could spike again under Trump’s new plan. “While prices may not hit the highs we saw last year, shoppers are absolutely going to notice an increase,” Beene added.
For families watching their grocery bills, Ryan suggests exploring alternatives. “Powdered eggs and plant-based substitutes are surprisingly good in baking,” he said. “They might not be perfect, but in this economy, it’s worth considering.”
With tariffs now squeezing imported supply and poultry recovery still underway, egg prices could be heading back into record territory and fast.