Egg aficionados in Honolulu might have noticed their wallets feeling a bit lighter recently, as egg prices have soared in the first quarter of this year. A report from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Market Analysis and News Branch (MANB) highlighted a significant 20% increase in the price of local eggs, reaching a median price of $9.51 per dozen, with mainland eggs trailing closely at $9.46 per dozen after a 30% hike. This close pricing rivalry comes despite Hawai‘i's considerably steeper rates compared to the national average, which stands at $4.90 per dozen.
Suffering under the impact of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), mainland egg production has faltered, pushing prices upward. The rise in local egg prices, while notable, stands eclipsed by the steeper increase for mainland eggs since 2021. According to statistics released in January 2025 by the HDOA, the local egg prices have risen by 28.4%, from $6.91 to $8.87, between 2021 and 2024, whereas mainland eggs jumped by 51.8%, from $5.50 to $8.35. The year 2023 to 2024 alone saw a smaller increase, with local and mainland prices rising by 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively.
"While the increasing price of all eggs is a concern for everyone, it is good to see that local eggs are able to be very competitive in the marketplace," Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture, told the HDOA in a statement. She emphasized the freshness and the importance of supporting local egg producers. Her remarks point to the growing emphasis on local produce, seen as a way to bolster the local economy and reduce dependence on mainland imports.
Despite fears of HPAI spreading following detections last November on O‘ahu, the situation seems contained with no further detections or impacts on Hawaiian egg production facilities reported since. With two instances of the virus having been detected in early November 2024, the HDOA has been actively collaborating with the poultry industry to avert any further spread of HPAI among local flocks, assuring consumers about the safety of local eggs in the process.
