By: Kloey Marlatt
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)—The impact of the ongoing bird flu outbreak is hitting Northwest Arkansas, sending egg prices soaring and putting strain on local suppliers and consumers.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has affected more than 157 million birds nationwide since it was first detected in U.S. poultry flocks in February 2022. In the first 3 weeks of 2025 alone, over 23 million birds were infected. The outbreak has forced producers and poultry farmers to humanely euthanize infected birds to prevent further spread. This leads to a sharp drop in egg production and, in turn, higher prices at the grocery store.
Although the basics supply and demand are largely to blame for the increased price tags, the cost effect of the bird flu is not quite that simple.
“When we look at the cost of other things that are going to be impacting the market, I think you also look at supply chain, you look at drivers, you look at transportation, you look at feed cost,” said Jada Thompson, an associate professor of agribusiness for Bumpers College. “You look at the biosecurity costs which is going to increase the costs on a farm, and an accommodation of all of those are going to be factoring into the increase of egg prices.”
So far this year, Arkansas has been able to avoid the primary cost of losing birds infected by the virus. As of January 22nd, the state had confirmed 1 backyard flock and 2 commercial flocks infected. However, the increased costs of biosecurity that include protective gear, disinfectant supplies, and increased security have been passed down to consumers in the state.
Egg prices have risen nearly 40% since July 2024, with some grocery stores in Northwest Arkansas charging almost $6 per dozen—up from less than $2.50 seven months ago.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that prices could temporarily continue to climb in the coming months, as producers work to replenish flocks lost to the January outbreak.
“Just biologically it takes 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch. It takes another 20 weeks, or 5 months, in order for that chicken to get to the maturity to start laying eggs,” said Thompson. “And so effectively, it’s about 6 months before we’re able to see another layer laying eggs and replacing that bird [that died].”
Despite the delay, Thompson is confident that as wholesale prices drop, retail prices will eventually follow suit. Farmers are adjusting to provide an increased replenishment of birds within the system as well as accommodating for the costs of biosecurity, which could lead to relief for consumers by the summer.
In addition to financial concerns, some shoppers worry about the safety of consuming eggs and the risk of infection. The bird flu has infected more than 60 people since its outbreak in 2022. However, these cases are due to exposure on poultry farms and lack of biosecurity rather than consumption of infected eggs.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture urges poultry farmers to take strict biosecurity measures, such as limiting farm access and disinfecting equipment, to prevent further outbreaks.