Here’s what you need to know.
Grocery bills are still climbing—and eggs remain one of the biggest pain points for American families. While prices recently showed signs of easing, a bold new move from President Donald Trump may change the outlook once again.
Trump’s America-First Tariff Strategy Takes Aim at Unfair Trade
As part of a sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” plan, the Trump administration is placing new import taxes on dozens of countries—many of which have long taken advantage of the U.S. through lopsided trade deals.
This includes nations like Turkey and South Korea, which had been tapped to help ease America’s ongoing egg shortage.
In March, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that the U.S. would import millions of eggs to help offset the impact of 2024’s devastating avian flu outbreak, which led to the slaughter of millions of laying hens.
But now, Trump’s 10% baseline tariff—along with higher country-specific rates (26% on South Korea, 10% on Turkey)—may undercut the benefit of those imports.
Egg Prices in the U.S. Remain 60% Higher Than Last Year
While wholesale prices have dipped slightly, eggs are still averaging around $3 per dozen, according to recent USDA and Fortune reports.
That’s a 60% increase over last year—and the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that egg prices could rise over 57% throughout 2025.
Key Factors Behind Soaring Egg Costs:
- Ongoing effects of avian flu outbreaks
- Heavy reliance on large-scale farms vulnerable to disease
- Shrinking imports now burdened by new tariffs
In January and February 2025 alone, over 1.6 million dozen eggs were imported to stabilize the market. But now, those foreign-sourced eggs come with a higher price tag due to tariffs—costs that retailers will likely pass on to consumers.
Tariffs Designed to Protect American Workers—Even If Prices Rise in the Short Term
President Trump’s tariff plan isn’t just about eggs—it’s about restoring American sovereignty and economic strength.
Under his new trade framework, the U.S. will impose:
- A flat 10% tariff on nearly all imports
- Additional “reciprocal” tariffs based on trade deficits with 57 countries
The White House projects these tariffs could generate over $1 trillion annually—a massive windfall intended to fund tax cuts for working families and rebuild U.S. manufacturing.
“This is about putting America First,” Trump said.
“For decades, we let other countries rip us off. That ends now.”
Experts Say Prices at the Grocery Store May Rise Again
Financial analyst Michael Ryan cautions that even though wholesale prices are falling, it doesn’t always translate to savings at the checkout.
“Imported eggs were keeping things stable,” Ryan said. “Now with tariffs, we’re looking at a potential price boomerang—costs could swing back up fast.”
Ryan encourages consumers to consider egg alternatives like powdered eggs or plant-based options for baking and cooking.
Large U.S. Farms Still Recovering from Avian Flu Damage
Part of the pricing problem lies in how American farms are structured. Compared to Canada, where egg farms average 25,000 hens, many U.S. operations hold over a million birds—making them far more vulnerable to large-scale disease outbreaks.
And with so much consolidation in the industry, any disruption—like avian flu—can cause massive ripple effects in the supply chain.
Bottom Line: Grocery Costs Will Stay Volatile in 2025
While Trump’s tariffs are aimed at long-term economic security and trade fairness, the immediate impact could include higher food prices, at least temporarily.
But many conservative voters see that as a worthwhile trade-off if it means bringing jobs back to America, reducing reliance on foreign goods, and strengthening our national economy.
As for now, everyday Americans are watching the grocery aisles closely—and hoping that domestic egg production picks up before inflation bites back again.
