(NewsNation) —The cost of eggs has spiked to record prices, hitting nearly $9 a dozen in some places as a result of rising production costs and the rapid spread of an avian flu that has infected thousands of birds. 

The national average cost for a dozen eggs has shot up more than 60% over the last year, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. 

In some states like California, the average price for a dozen large eggs went from $5.68 in November to a whopping $8.97 in December, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

Several area restaurants have already raised prices for egg dishes. One California establishment increased a $15 menu item with two eggs to $17, KSBY reported.

What’s causing the egg price hikes? 

While a confluence of factors is causing the exorbitant prices, the leading reason is the rapid avian flu outbreak. 

Over 100 million birds throughout the poultry industry have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza since 2022, including 3.6 million this October, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. 

Egg layers and turkeys have been the most impacted, the group said. Over 73 million egg layers have been affected by the outbreak since August. 

Avian flu has been detected in 48 states, with significant losses reported in Utah, Washington and Oregon, which are key egg-producing regions​​, reported Forbes. 

In addition to the flu, production and distribution costs, as well as new regulations on cage-free eggs in some states, including California, are raising prices.

When will prices go back down? 

It’s unclear when the price of eggs will stabilize in the near future as avian flu continues to spread. 

The USDA has adjusted its production forecasts downward for 2025, indicating that recovery from this year’s supply losses could take longer than expected​, reported Forbes.