Trump Says Egg Prices Are Getting Too Low as Consumers Still Feel the Pinch

Former President Donald Trump commented on the current state of egg prices during a White House appearance on Friday, claiming that the cost of eggs has dropped so significantly it may be a problem in the other direction.

Speaking after the swearing-in of Dr. Mehmet Oz as the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Trump took a moment to shift the conversation to agriculture and the grocery market, specifically mentioning the affordability of eggs.

"You can have all the eggs," Trump said. "You watch, we have too many eggs. In fact, if anything, the prices are getting too low. So I just want to let you know that the prices are down."

According to the former president, egg prices have fallen dramatically under the current administration, a point he used to praise Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, calling her performance “great” in managing food production levels and market stabilization. Trump offered a specific figure to underline his point.

"Egg prices are down 87 percent, but nobody talks about that," he said. "By the way, prices are down. Groceries are down. Eggs, which they — you hit me so hard. I’ll never forget the first … day, first week in office, they were screaming at me about eggs. I said, 'What’s going on with eggs?' They were doubling and tripling. I said, 'I just got here.' They were up like double, triple, and you couldn’t get any."

Despite Trump’s optimistic remarks, the real picture for many American households remains more nuanced. While egg prices have indeed dropped from earlier record-setting highs, consumers are still adjusting to the fluctuations that have marked the market since early last year.

The price volatility, driven in part by supply chain challenges and avian influenza outbreaks, caused a significant surge in egg costs, leaving many families struggling to afford basic grocery staples.

Earlier this year, consumers across the country experienced egg prices climbing well over $6 per dozen. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in March, prices peaked at $6.23 per dozen, marking a steep increase from February’s $5.90 and January’s $4.95.

These rapid increases strained household budgets and even prompted consumers to change how they approached traditional holidays like Easter, where eggs often play a central role in meals and cultural celebrations.

A recent survey by Ziff Davis revealed that nearly half of U.S. consumers—49 percent—altered their Easter plans due to high egg prices, whether that meant skipping egg decorating traditions or modifying meals to reduce costs.

This consumer behavior suggests that while wholesale prices may be on a downward trend, the broader economic effects of previous spikes have not fully faded from public consciousness.

Trump acknowledged that egg prices were a concern early in his most recent term, recalling public frustration shortly after he returned to office.

"I’ll never forget, they were screaming at me about eggs," Trump said. "They said you won’t have eggs for Easter. Well, you can have all the eggs you want."

The comment drew laughter from some of the attendees, but for many Americans, the issue remains serious. The combination of inflationary pressure, pandemic-era supply disruptions, and seasonal demand has kept egg prices in flux for the better part of two years.

Even now, with prices slowly trending downward, there is hesitation among consumers and retailers alike about declaring the crisis fully resolved.

As of Friday, the average wholesale price of a dozen eggs stood at $3.13, a modest decrease from previous months but still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Retail prices have followed a similar pattern, dropping gradually but remaining elevated enough to affect consumer behavior.

The Department of Agriculture noted that while prices have "eased considerably from early-year highs," they are still "at levels not yet conducive to more than normal purchase needs."

Analysts in the food retail sector agree that while the situation has improved, it has not yet returned to normal. Many grocers continue to monitor supply and demand cautiously, wary of another price shock or supply chain issue that could again disrupt the market.

"The egg supply is stabilizing, but we're not out of the woods," said Michael Tanzer, a market analyst specializing in agricultural commodities. "Consumers are still feeling the effects of last year’s price hikes, and many are hesitant to resume their typical shopping patterns when it comes to high-volume perishable goods."

Some experts argue that Trump’s remarks oversimplify a complicated market dynamic. While it may be true that prices are lower than they were at their peak, that decline does not necessarily translate into affordability for all.

The pandemic and its economic aftermath have left a significant portion of the population in a financially precarious position, and even marginal increases in staple food items can lead to tough decisions for lower-income households.

Furthermore, fluctuations in egg prices are affected by a range of factors, many of which are out of the control of federal policymakers. Avian flu outbreaks, for example, have forced farms across the country to cull millions of birds, affecting the national supply and driving up prices.

Feed costs, energy expenses, labor shortages, and transportation logistics all play a role in determining what consumers ultimately pay at the grocery store.

The Trump administration has defended its approach to agricultural management, pointing to investments in rural infrastructure, streamlined regulations, and efforts to promote domestic food production.

Trump has also emphasized what he calls a market-friendly philosophy, asserting that lowering regulatory burdens allows producers to thrive, which he believes ultimately benefits consumers through lower prices.

But critics argue that the administration’s response has been inconsistent, particularly in addressing emergency situations like disease outbreaks or rapid inflation in food markets. They also question whether the recent decline in egg prices has more to do with seasonal supply increases and market corrections than any specific policy intervention.

"This administration is quick to take credit for market trends that are more cyclical than structural," said Patricia Menendez, a food policy researcher at a nonprofit think tank. "We see egg prices going down after Easter because demand naturally tapers off. That’s not unusual. What would be more telling is whether the administration has a sustainable plan to deal with future volatility."

As the debate over grocery prices continues, consumers are left trying to make sense of the numbers and navigate their household budgets as best they can. In suburban neighborhoods and rural communities alike, families report making changes to how they shop for groceries, often choosing generic brands, reducing food waste, and delaying purchases they would have made more freely in previous years.

Despite assurances from Trump and other officials, there remains skepticism about whether current policies are effectively addressing the underlying causes of food price volatility. For some Americans, the idea that egg prices are "too low" may feel out of touch with their daily experiences at the checkout counter.

"Even at $3 a dozen, that’s still more than we paid two years ago," said Karen Lowell, a mother of three from Des Moines. "It might not seem like a lot to some people, but when you're buying groceries for a big family, every dollar matters."

Still, some farmers and producers have welcomed the decline in egg prices, arguing that it reflects a healthier balance between supply and demand. After months of shortages and stressed supply chains, many in the agriculture industry are cautiously optimistic that the worst may be behind them.

"Last year was brutal," said Jeremy McCabe, who runs a mid-sized egg farm in Iowa. "We had disease scares, rising feed costs, and price gouging accusations. It’s good to see the market calming down. Hopefully, it stays that way."

In the meantime, Americans will continue watching their grocery bills, keeping an eye on prices, and adjusting their habits as needed. Whether egg prices stay down, go back up, or fluctuate again remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—eggs are more than just a breakfast food in the United States.

They’ve become a symbol of broader economic anxiety and a talking point in the ongoing political conversation about inflation, consumer costs, and the role of government in everyday life.

For Trump, however, the message is simpler. "You can have all the eggs you want," he said. "Eggs for everyone. That’s what winning looks like."