Eggs Reclaim Dinner

Retail egg prices have tumbled to roughly $2.50 a dozen while beef and veal expenses are about 15% higher year‑over‑year, nudging eggs onto more dinner menus. (fooddrinklife.com) The average U.S. retail price for a dozen large eggs was $2.50 in February 2026, down from a March 2025 peak of about $6.23 per dozen. (usnews.com) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s outlook projects retail egg prices will fall roughly 27.4% over 2026 even as wholesale and supermarket markers normalize. (supermarketnews.com) Government and market data show beef and veal costs are about 15% higher in January 2026 than January 2025, and wholesale beef was roughly 13% higher in February 2026 year‑over‑year. (bloomberg.com) (ers.usda.gov) Per‑person availability of eggs is projected at about 23 dozen in 2026 (roughly 276 eggs), up from prior years, as layer inventories rose to about 373 million birds on April 1, 2026. (ers.usda.gov) (esmis.nal.usda.gov) The price swing follows an easing of highly pathogenic avian influenza losses: analysts say fewer HPAI detections and stronger flock rebuilds sent supply back into the market and pushed retail egg prices down. (npr.org) (ams.usda.gov) Egg‑industry leaders warn farmers are feeling the pain: Emily Metz, president and CEO of the America Egg Board, said in April 2026 that “many have been selling eggs at or below the cost of production.” (abcnews.com) Restaurants and chains are already responding — Waffle House removed its temporary 50‑cent‑per‑egg surcharge after supplies stabilized, and industry forecasts list value‑forward dishes (including egg‑centric mains) among 2026 menu trends. (restaurantbusinessonline.com) (restaurantnews.com) Economists say the durability of the egg‑for‑dinner shift will hinge on two variables: whether the U.S. cattle herd rebuild slows beef inflation and whether HPAI resurges; ERS projects modest beef price gains in 2026 while warning egg trajectories remain volatile. (ers.usda.gov) (bloomberg.com)