You may have noticed during your last grocery store visit that the price of eggs drastically reduced.

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of eggs has gone back down since last year. The popular breakfast mainstay spiked 49% nationally during 2022 due to an outbreak of avian flu and higher production costs, according to previous reporting from The Arizona Republic.

This year, the average cost of a dozen eggs has fallen from $4.82 at its peak in January to $3.27 in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This price drop is in part due to lower wholesale prices retailers are paying for eggs.

Wholesale egg prices averaged $1.83 per dozen in April, which was a 32.5% decline from last year's prices and a 42.5% decline from March's prices. Early May prices have plateaued at 89 cents per dozen, according to a Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook report from the USDA.

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"The sharp downturn in prices was likely due to the post-Easter demand decline," according to the USDA report. Looking toward the next half of the year, the USDA expects wholesale prices to slightly tilt upwards from the May average but decline 33% lower from last year's average, so egg lovers can expect lower retail prices to remain.

In 2024, wholesale egg prices are projected to average $1.44 per dozen, which is a 23% decrease from the 2023 projected average, according to the USDA, as long as there is not a resurgence of the avian flu.

Last year, the U.S. experienced the worst avian flu outbreak on record. Roughly 58 million chickens and other birds across 47 states either died or were culled to prevent the spread of the disease, according to the USDA.

This record outbreak obliterated some flocks and accounted for much of the egg-price jump. Egg producers paid more for fuel, grain and labor during a high inflation year in Arizona last year.

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Although declines in egg prices are being seen across the Valley, a rule that was enacted Jan. 1 statewide may impact egg prices. All eggs and egg products sold in Arizona come from hens given at least 1 square foot of usable floor space. In 2025, eggs and egg products will need to come from hens housed in a more humane-focused, cage-free manner under guidelines from United Egg Producers.

Providing more space and redesigning farms to adjust to these requirements could increase costs for farmers, which may increase the cost of eggs. However, consumers may be willing to pay the extra cost to support humane choices, especially as the market moves in that direction nationally.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Egg prices are dropping in Arizona. Here's what to know