According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes approximately 279 eggs each year. That works out to a national total of nearly 100 billion eggs annually.

It is understandable, therefore, that a sharp increase in egg prices draws the attention of American shoppers; eggs literally are a kitchen table issue. By the end of January, the average price for one dozen Grade A large eggs was $4.95, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — a 143 percent increase since August 2023.

The reason, experts say, is a combination of supply chain disruptions, an ongoing outbreak of bird flu and changes in regulations. In Washington and Oregon, for example, laws took effect in 2024 requiring commercial egg growers to provide free-range environments for their hens, which growers say have increased costs. The result, consumers can tell you, is empty shelves in grocery stores and rising prices for restaurants and bakeries that depend on that staple of the American diet.

Locally, as reported recently in The Columbian, one of the impacts is an increase in people raising their own chickens. Orchards Feed and Wilco Farm Stores are among outlets that sell chicks, and supplies are selling out as soon as they arrive.

As Orchards Feed owner Loren Carlson wrote on social media: “Just so we are clear … these are chicks, not full-grown chickens. No, they will not lay eggs within a week of purchase and no, they will not solve the economic egg crisis by the end of the month. However, they will add a fun addition to your life, will eat bugs out of your yard, produce eggs when they are ready, become loyal pets and bring laughs.”

For most consumers, raising and keeping chickens is not a viable option for reducing egg prices. We would not recommend, for example, that apartment dwellers rely on a cadre of chickens to provide their daily breakfast.

While much attention has been paid to increasing egg prices, the most disconcerting factor is avian influenza. In domesticated poultry, bird flu has a nearly 100 percent mortality rate, and spread of the disease has contributed to increasing egg prices. The virus also can spread to other animals and to humans, although human infections typically result in mild symptoms. Officials report an increase in infections among cows, which could further disrupt the food supply and which calls for action from the federal government.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council for the Trump administration, has said the federal government will seek “better ways, with biosecurity and medication and so on” for mitigating avian influenza. That would be a contrast to the current practice of destroying all birds on a farm when an outbreak occurs — a strategy that has depleted the supply of eggs.

Given President Donald Trump’s inadequate response to the arrival of COVID-19 during his first term, there is reason for concern. And given his current administration’s penchant for reducing the federal workforce with little consideration to the importance of those jobs, there is additional reason for concern.

During last year’s presidential campaign, Trump promised to lower grocery prices “on Day One.” The price of eggs demonstrates that — predictably — such rhetoric was empty, but the larger issue is how the administration addresses the pending crisis in the coming months.

A decrease in the egg supply presents a challenge for scientists and government workers. But it creates very basic challenges for the typical American.