AMERICA MISSION

If you’re a Democrat looking for an easy jab at President Trump and his supporters, the high cost of eggs at the grocery store might seem like low-hanging fruit.

Prices have undoubtedly soared – up over 63% in the past year according to an article by Forbes, with a dozen eggs averaging over $4.95 and chicken meat feeling the pinch too. But let’s set the records straight: this mess isn’t the fault of the man who took office seven weeks ago. The real culprits are a combination of biological, logistical, and regulatory challenges that were brewing long before Trump returned to the White House, creating the perfect storm for the poultry industry.

The biggest driver is the ongoing outbreak of the ‘highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza’ (HPAI), commonly known as the bird flu. Since the outbreak began in February 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service estimates that over 166 million birds have been affected nationwide, including over 110 million egg-laying hens culled to halt the virus’s spread. That’s a massive hit to egg supply, and it’s no quick fix. It takes approximately 20 weeks for new hens to mature and lay eggs and some farms hit by outbreaks can face delays of six to nine months before resuming full production.

Then there’s the logistical mess: a truck driver shortage has slowed distribution, while rising feed, fuel, and labor costs have squeezed producers – all inherited problems from the previous administration’s tenure. Add in new cage-free egg laws in California, Colorado, and 15 other states effective January 2025, and you’ve got another supply cut. Cage-free hens took a big hit from bird flu in 2024, pushing compliant egg prices to $8 – $12 per dozen in some spots. These rules were signed and set in motion long before Trump’s inauguration.

Trump’s supporters know he’s walking into storms he didn’t create.

The ripple effects we’re feeling now around high prices and bare shelves stem from decisions and disasters that predate his term. Relief won’t come overnight, but pinning this on the new POTUS ignores the facts. Give him time; he’s just getting started.

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