WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update on Thursday to provide the first progress report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) five-pronged strategy to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas.
“Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting the relief they need, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” said Secretary Rollins.“USDA is making targeted investments and driving innovation to keep our food supply strong and affordable —delivering real results for American families and producers.”
Since February 26, wholesale egg prices have dropped nearly 50%. The New York wholesale egg price, which peaked at $8.53 per dozen, has steadily declined to $4.08 as of March 19. While seasonal Easter demand may cause fluctuations, the downward trend underscores the effectiveness of USDA’s approach.
Progress on USDA’s Five-Pronged Strategy
Strengthening Biosecurity Measures
USDA has expanded biosecurity assessments to commercial poultry producers nationwide, prioritizing egg-laying facilities in top-producing states. More than 130 facilities have undergone assessments in 2025, with 38 assessments completed last week alone.
To help prevent further outbreaks, USDA now offers two free, voluntary biosecurity assessments: one focused on wildlife risk mitigation and another on general biosecurity improvements. Additionally, all farms affected by HPAI must complete a biosecurity audit before restocking flocks. USDA is covering up to 75% of costs for the highest-risk biosecurity improvements.
Expediting Relief for Farmers to Accelerate Repopulation
To provide financial relief and support faster repopulation, USDA increased the indemnity rate for layer hens by 2.41x on February 27, raising compensation to $16.94 per bird.
Reducing Regulatory Burdens to Expand Supply & Lower Prices
USDA is working with FDA and industry stakeholders to evaluate solutions that can help expand supply safely, minimize burdens on farmers and consumers, and promote innovative approaches to disease management. The Department continues to explore ways to reduce the extent of depopulations while maintaining food safety standards.
Investing $100 Million in Avian Flu Research & Vaccine Development
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) launched a $100 million funding opportunity, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to support research into HPAI prevention, therapeutics, and potential vaccines. In consultation with HHS, USDA will also explore prevention strategies to promote biosecurity in agriculture and in humans, to ensure limited impact on American farmers. Funding will be awarded through a competitive process, with priority given to projects that:
- Develop novel therapeutics to address HPAI in poultry,
- Advance research on avian influenza risk pathways to improve biosecurity and outbreak response, and
- Explore vaccine candidates to protect poultry while minimizing trade disruptions.
USDA APHIS will host a webinar on April 1 at 12 p.m. ET that will provide details for interested applicants.
Exploring Temporary Import-Export Adjustments to Stabilize Supply
USDA has secured new egg import commitments from Turkey and South Korea, with discussions ongoing with other countries to further expand supply in the short term. Additionally, U.S. shell egg exports have declined by 8%, ensuring more eggs remain in the domestic market to help stabilize prices.
USDA continues working closely with HHS, CDC, NIH, and FDA to coordinate a science-based response to HPAI and remains committed to regular public updates on progress.
