Overall, the average price of eggs of all sizes fell 12.7%, the steepest monthly decline since March 1984.
Fewer bird flu outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in recent weeks also has helped to stabilize the country’s egg supply, Ortega said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 59 bird flu outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in February, 12 in March and three in April.
But Ortega said the progress of the virus is uncertain, and prices could edge up again if outbreaks expand again.
Bird flu has killed more than 169 million birds since early 2022. Any time a bird gets sick, the entire flock is killed to help keep the virus from spreading. Once a flock is slaughtered, it can take as long as a year to clean a farm and raise new birds to egg-laying age.
Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine said its net income more than tripled to $508.5 million in its most recent quarter, which ended March 1.
