US egg prices hit record-high despite White House optimism

Egg prices hit a record high in March despite optimism from the Trump administration

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index revealed Thursday a dozen grade A large

eggs rose to $6.23 per dozen in March, up from $5.90 in February and $4.95 per dozen in January

The rise means consumers and businesses relying on eggs may see little relief as demand for eggs

typically increases before Easter, which is on April 20th. The news comes despite White House reports of wholesale egg prices falling

and optimism over dropping inflation for the month of March. Wholesale egg prices did decrease in March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

but grocery store prices have yet to follow. Economists say the rise in egg prices from January to February came from the bird flu outbreak

which led to the culling of millions of hens to stop the further spread of the virus

Some, however, expressed surprise with March's numbers as they expected prices to fall

Industry officials note wholesale prices didn't start dropping until mid-March, which may not be enough time for shoppers to see a decline in prices yet

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also suggests that the rise in egg prices is temporary

saying the overall CPI shows a slight decline in prices for goods and services across the U.S. in March

Rollins thinks the price of eggs will soon fall in line. President Trump announced earlier this week the White House egg roll would feature real eggs again this year, despite the rise in prices

Farmers reportedly normally donate more than 30,000 eggs for the event. The administration also announced last month it would begin importing eggs from South Korea and Turkey to alleviate a supply shortage

For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey