Egg, chicken prices unlikely to keep surging despite avian flu, researchers say

Egg and chicken prices in supermarkets are unlikely to keep rising as sharply in the coming years due to avian flu as they are now, according to Nico Bondt, a poultry economist at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). He claimed that avian flu is expected to keep supply constrained, but it is unlikely to drive egg and chicken prices up as steeply in the coming years as it has recently.

Bondt noted that egg prices in supermarkets have climbed by roughly one-third over the past five years, with meat prices rising as well. Speaking on Monday at the presentation of the 2025 income outlook for the agricultural and horticultural sectors, he said prices are already exceptionally high and doubt they will keep rising at the same pace for years. Instead, he expects only modest increases of a few percent in the years ahead, rather than dramatic jumps.

WUR said on Monday that poultry farmers are set to earn substantially more this year, with average incomes rising to about 575,000 euros. That is roughly 235,000 euros more than last year, largely due to the much higher prices farmers are receiving for their eggs.

In contrast, producers in several other agricultural sectors are seeing lower returns. The forecast shows that potato growers, in particular, are earning 35 percent less this year as a result of excess supply.

According to WUR researcher Bert Smit, the lower prices paid to growers could eventually translate into modest savings for consumers on potatoes, potato products, and fries. Still, he doubts any major price cuts and is unsure whether retailers will pass the savings on at all.

“Some supermarkets require certified potatoes and promise to cover the additional costs. They will want to recoup that compensation,” he said. Snack bars could, for example, make portions smaller instead.