HONOLULU (KHON2) — How much have egg prices actually gone up? The Department of Agriculture released new data revealing Honolulu retail egg prices between 2021 and 2024.
In December 2021, the price for a dozen locally produced eggs was an average of $6.91. Since then, customers have seen a 28.4% increase, paying $8.87 per carton in 2024.
Eggs imported from the mainland have seen a 51.8% increase between 2021 and 2024. In 2021, mainland eggs sold for $5.50 compared to $8.35 in 2024.
Between 2023 and 2024, local egg prices saw a 2.7% increase while mainland egg prices rose by 6.2%.
Officials said the price increases can be mainly attributed to avian influenza, a disease that has killed millions of chickens nationwide, impacting egg production across the continental U.S.
The increase in local production of eggs has been closing the price gap with imported mainland eggs. The avian influenza outbreak on the mainland is another example of why food security in Hawai‘i is so important. Supporting local farmers and ranchers helps to ensure our food supply.
Sharon Hurd, Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture chairperson
Hawaii saw its first two detections of HPAI in a backyard flock of birds in Central Oahu. Since then, no other detections have been confirmed.
Officials also added that no Hawaii egg production facilities have been involved.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture said they will continue to work with the local poultry industry to avoid HPAI from infecting further animals.