Want cheaper eggs? Eat Less. Don't expect the Government to solve everything.

February 28, 2025

Want cheaper eggs? Eat less processed foods.

1. The Irony

As Americans, we glorify the private sector and the billionaires. We vilify the public sector and the public sector. Not surprisingly, about 80% favor Elon Musk's downsizing of the federal government. However, when the private sector increases prices following the economic laws of supply and demand, we quickly run to the government to be saved from the private sector. The latest example? Trump's eggconomy.

As the average price of a dozen eggs in the US surpassed $5 this month, most Americans--especially the scammed poor Trump supporters--are screaming and asking President Trump to "make eggs affordable again". On one hand, we say that we want less government and reduce government spending. On the other hand, we want the government to solve every little problem in our lives including the price of eggs as in socialist or communist countries.

President Trump is not a magician and does not have a magic wand in his hand or up Elon Musk's ass to solve all of our problems. How in the world will Trump solve the egg "crisis"? This is not China or Russia where the government controls almost all prices. This is supposed to be a free market economy. If eggs are too expensive, don't buy them. As demand goes down, prices will go also down. Simple. Isn't that part of the "revolution of common sense"?

Why is it that the federal government needs to solve all our problems? Isn't the private sector so much better at everything. Can't Elon Musk or another billionaire create artificial eggs or import them from Mars on their own without federal contracts, grants, loans, subsidies, etc. Can't Elon Musk innovate without the research and development subsidized by the federal government? Probably not.

What is the plan?

In response to soaring egg prices, the Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the "crisis". First, the diagnosis (i.e. blame others). Surprisingly, the majority of Americans is not blaming yet illegal immigrants for eating too many eggs or for getting American chickens sick. Of course, that is coming soon. China may also be blamed for contributing to avian flu, which most likely than not originated in China like the COVID19 virus. So far, most of the mainstream blame has been placed on the Biden administration for mishandling the avian influenza epidemic that has led to the culling of over 166 million birds since 2022, and for having too many regulations and animal welfare protections in place.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to review and potentially roll back certain regulations to reduce production costs and increase supply. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins also announced a $1 billion spending plan to "make eggs affordable again." You see? When we don't like what the private sector is doing (i.e. raising the prices of eggs), instead of innovating (e.g. eating less eggs, raising chickens, etc.), we fall back on the lazy, fiscally irresponsible, or even communist approach of having throw money at the problem.

Trump's administration plan to spend $1 billion of our money (not his money) to make eggs affordable again includes up to $500 million in corporate welfare for poultry producers to clean their facilities ("biosecurity), $400 million in corporate welfare (financial aid) for private sector farmers less rich due to avian flu, and $100 million for research and development of vaccines and treatments for poultry. Yes, you read it right, scientific research and vaccines.

The administration is also considering importing between 70 and 100 million eggs from other countries (did someone say Mexico) in the coming months to alleviate the shortage. However, given that domestic production was approximately 7.57 billion table eggs last month, importing 100 million eggs would have a very limited impact on overall supply.

While these measures aim to stabilize the egg market, there will not be immediate relief. USDA forecasts that egg prices could surge by 50% more before "stabilizing" (remaining high?) in about 6 months. It is safe to assume that egg prices will remain relatively high and that food prices will continue increasing in the United States of Trump.

Below seven semi random points to consider when thinking about the Eggconomy:

1. The Root Cause: Avian Flu and Its Impact on the Eggconomy

The H5N1 avian flu outbreak has been catastrophic for the poultry industry:

In 2023 and 2024, over 60 million birds in the U.S. were culled due to the virus, drastically reducing egg production and driving up prices.
Egg prices hit a record high of $4.95 per dozen in January 2025, compared to an average of $1.50–$2.00 per dozen before the outbreak.
The economic shock has disproportionately affected low-income families, who have struggled to afford an essential food staple.

Scientists and agricultural experts agree that combatting avian flu requires a science-driven response, including:
✔ Widespread poultry vaccination programs
✔ Stronger biosecurity measures on farms
✔ Genome tracking of virus mutations to prevent future outbreaks

However, Trump’s past reluctance to trust science raises serious concerns about how effectively his administration will handle the crisis.

2. Trump’s Record on Science: A Warning from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The last time the United States faced a public health crisis—the COVID-19 pandemic—Trump’s skepticism of science, rejection of expert recommendations, and promotion of misinformation had deadly consequences:

Trump repeatedly downplayed COVID-19 even as cases surged.
He dismissed mask mandates and social distancing as unnecessary.
He discouraged vaccinations, fueling widespread vaccine hesitancy that prolonged the pandemic.
He suggested pseudoscientific treatments (e.g., disinfectant injections) instead of listening to public health officials.

The cost?

Over 1 million American deaths from COVID-19.
Massive economic damage, as prolonged shutdowns and uncertainty crippled industries.
A public trust crisis in science, with long-term consequences for future health crises.

If Trump ignored and mishandled the most significant public health crisis in modern history, what guarantees do Americans have that he will handle the Avian Flu crisis any differently?

3. The GOP’s Push for “Common Sense” Over Science: Can It Fix the Eggconomy?

Trump and many Republicans have embraced a populist message of “common sense” solutions, often attacking scientific and expert-driven approaches as part of a “woke elite agenda.” Their approach to the egg price crisis seems to rely more on economic policies rather than addressing the root scientific problem:

Republicans argue for deregulation, tax cuts, and opening new markets for farmers.
They call for reducing government oversight in agriculture, believing that private industry will solve the problem on its own.
Some GOP figures even argue against poultry vaccination, fearing it will “hurt small farmers” and increase costs in the short term.

However, no amount of tax cuts or deregulation will cure a virus. Without scientific intervention, the egg supply crisis will persist, leading to continued high prices and shortages.

If Trump and Republicans reject poultry vaccination programs, oppose funding for scientific research, and delay necessary biosecurity measures, they risk prolonging the crisis—just as they did with COVID-19.

4. What Do Experts Recommend?

Scientists and agricultural experts overwhelmingly support a science-driven approach to solving the egg crisis. Their recommendations include:

✔ Mass poultry vaccination against Avian Flu – The EU, China, and Mexico have already adopted vaccine programs to protect their poultry industries. The U.S. must follow suit.
✔ Genome sequencing and tracking of the virus – Understanding how the virus spreads is essential to preventing future outbreaks.
✔ Biosecurity measures on farms – Strengthening sanitation, monitoring, and farm protocols to prevent the spread of the disease.
✔ Government subsidies for farmers implementing these measures – Helping poultry farmers afford protective measures ensures long-term stability in egg production.

These solutions require funding, public health coordination, and leadership that believes in science—not political rhetoric dismissing expert recommendations.

5. Will Trump’s America Repeat the Same Mistakes?

The eggconomy crisis is not just about prices—it is about America’s ability to trust and apply scientific solutions to real-world problems. If the Trump administration once again prioritizes politics over science, the egg shortage will persist, costs will remain high, and Americans will pay the price—literally and figuratively.

Trump’s first presidency proved that rejecting science in a crisis can have catastrophic consequences. Will America make the same mistake again? Or will leaders finally recognize that real solutions require science, not just “common sense” slogans?

The answer to this question could determine whether eggs remain an essential, affordable staple in American households—or become a luxury item for the privileged few.

Yes, eggs are widely used in the production of processed foods due to their functional properties, such as emulsification, binding, leavening, and moisture retention. They are a key ingredient in many processed foods, including:

6. Eat Less Processed Foods That Contain or Use Many Eggs

Baked Goods – Cakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, and pastries often rely heavily on eggs.
Pasta & Noodles – Egg noodles and some fresh pasta varieties contain a high amount of eggs.
Mayonnaise & Salad Dressings – Many commercial dressings use eggs as an emulsifier.
Breaded & Fried Foods – Processed foods like chicken nuggets and breaded fish use eggs in the batter.
Processed Meats – Some meatballs, sausages, and hot dogs use eggs as a binder.
Custards & Puddings – Many dairy-based desserts use eggs for thickening.
Ice Cream – Premium or custard-based ice creams contain egg yolks for creaminess.
Confectionery & Candy – Marshmallows, nougat, and some chocolates contain egg whites.
Sauces & Soups – Hollandaise sauce, béarnaise sauce, and egg drop soup use eggs.
Processed Breakfast Foods – Pancake and waffle mixes, frozen breakfast sandwiches, and some cereals include eggs.

7. Eat Less Junk Food & Unhealthy Desserts That Use Many Eggs

Cheesecake – Uses a significant number of eggs to create a creamy and dense texture.
Brownies & Chocolate Lava Cake – The rich, fudgy texture often depends on eggs.
Cream Pies & Tarts – Custard-based pies (e.g., lemon meringue, banana cream pie) require many eggs.
Donuts – Traditional donut recipes use a high amount of eggs for structure and fluffiness.
Éclairs & Profiteroles – Choux pastry relies on eggs for its airy structure.
Macarons – These delicate cookies are made almost entirely of egg whites and almond flour.
Flan & Crème Brûlée – Egg-heavy custard desserts.
Churros – Some recipes use a fair amount of eggs for a richer dough.
French Toast – Egg-dipped bread fried in butter or oil.
Pancakes & Waffles – Many traditional recipes include a generous amount of eggs.

In sum, embrace reality. Egg prices are relatively high because demand exceeds supply. The Trump administration is working on increasing supply. You may want to work on decreasing supply, by consuming less processed foods, junk foods, and desserts that use a lot of eggs. Prices will stabilize or even go down based on supply and demand dynamics.

Now you know it.

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