Egg Prices Have Crashed So Far That America's Biggest Egg Producer Just Posted a Loss: What It Means at the Grocery Store

Remember the $6 dozen? The company that sells more eggs than anyone in the U.S. just showed how far prices have fallen.

On Wednesday, September 30, Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the United States, reported a net loss of $58.6 million for its latest quarter, which ended August 29. A year earlier, the company earned a profit of $199.3 million in the same quarter.

The reason is simple: eggs got much cheaper. Cal-Maine said the price it received for a dozen conventional eggs fell 59.3% from a year earlier. Its total sales dropped about 41.5%, to $539.6 million.

That is bad news for an egg company's investors. For families who watched egg prices soar not long ago, it is a welcome change.

Why egg prices fell so far

Egg prices jumped in 2024 and early 2025 after bird flu outbreaks killed or forced farmers to cull millions of laying hens. Fewer hens meant fewer eggs, and prices shot up. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average price of a dozen Grade A large eggs hit a record of about $6.23 in March 2025.

Since then, farmers have rebuilt their flocks. Cal-Maine said the egg industry now has more supply than it needs, which it called a "supply imbalance." When there are more eggs than buyers want, prices fall.

The latest BLS data shows the average dozen of Grade A large eggs cost about $2.27 in August 2026. That is roughly a third of the March 2025 record.

What the company said about what comes next

Cal-Maine's chief executive, Sherman Miller, said "underlying demand remains healthy," meaning people are still buying plenty of eggs. But he also said the company cannot precisely predict when the egg market will get back into balance.

In plain English, the company does not know when egg prices will climb again. Cal-Maine is leaning more on specialty eggs, such as cage-free and organic, and on prepared foods. Those businesses now make up 54% of its sales.

The company also said it will not pay a dividend, a regular cash payment some companies make to shareholders, for the quarter. Under its dividend policy, it must first make up its recent losses before paying one again.

What this means for your wallet

For shoppers, low wholesale prices usually mean lower prices at the store, though stores set their own prices and may not pass along every bit of the drop.

Here are a few ways this news could matter to your budget:

• Eggs may be a bargain protein again. At around $2.27 a dozen on average, eggs cost about 19 cents each. That can make them a budget-friendly option for breakfasts, lunches and baking.
• Prices can change quickly. Bird flu has caused sudden price spikes before. Today's low prices are not a promise about next year.
• Compare specialty and conventional eggs. Cal-Maine's specialty egg prices fell much less than conventional ones. If you usually buy cage-free or organic, it may be worth checking the price gap at your store, since conventional eggs saw the bigger drop.
• Watch your whole grocery bill. Cheaper eggs are one bright spot, but other grocery items may be rising. Tracking what you spend on food each month can show you where your money is really going.

One simple habit: write down the price of the 10 items you buy most often. Check them again in a month. You will quickly see which prices are moving and where you can switch brands or stores to save.