The average retail price of a dozen eggs climbed to $3.60 in November, up from $2.50 at the start of the year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Outbreaks of bird flu that led to culling of entire flocks combined with worries of tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico have led to regional price spikes ranging from $5 a dozen in the Midwest to an astounding $8 per dozen in California.
Eggs have long been an affordable source of protein and a staple of home and commercial kitchens worldwide. Beyond their culinary value, eggs play a critical role in:
- Food Security: Eggs are a cost-effective source of protein and essential nutrients, making them vital for addressing global hunger and malnutrition.
- Agricultural Sustainability: Poultry farming, which produces eggs, requires less land and water than other forms of animal agriculture, aligning with sustainable farming practices.
- Economic Stability: Egg production supports millions of small-scale farmers and large agricultural businesses, contributing significantly to local and global economies.
Eggs have recently garnered the attention of investors looking to capitalize on the rise in egg prices. There’s a way for investors to get direct exposure to the egg market by buying shares in a publicly-traded company. In 1969, Adams Foods merged with Dairy Fresh Products Company of California and Maine Egg Farms of Lewiston, Maine to create Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM). The company is now the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States. With its focus on cage-free and specialty eggs, Cal-Maine is well-positioned to benefit from consumer trends favoring sustainability and premium products.
In October 2024, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.019 a share. Cal-Maine Foods stock is currently trading at $101 a share, up over 90% from a year ago.