Work

Understanding Egg Price Volatility and Policy Implications in the U.S. With Machine Learning

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Eggs are an inexpensive and sustainable source of proteins, but volatility in the U.S. egg prices has intensified in recent years, raising concerns over food affordability and market stability. This study examines the drivers of U.S. egg price dynamics over 2004–2025 using a two‐stage framework that combines LASSO‐based variable selection with an ARIMAX forecasting model. The results reveal strong price persistence, together with significant impacts of energy, feed costs and seasonal demand. The influence of avian influenza is strongly time‐dependent, with limited effects in full‐sample averages but significant impacts during high‐intensity outbreak periods, particularly in the mid‐2010s and after 2022. Out‐of‐sample forecasts indicate that the LASSO‐ARIMAX model reduces forecast errors by more than 60% relative to a univariate ARIMA benchmark. These findings suggest that stabilizing key input costs, strengthening timely epidemiological surveillance, and proactively managing predictable seasonal demand pressures are more effective than relying on any single explanatory factor.

Source: Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy

DOI: 10.1002/aepp.70082

Authors: Xuemei Zhao, Simon Meister, Lucie Maruejols, Xiaohua Yu

Institutions: University of Göttingen, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

Language: English

Topic: Economics of Agriculture and Food Markets

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750