Eggs are not only costly due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak but are also becoming increasingly difficult to find. In some areas, stores have even started limiting how many cartons customers can purchase.
The high demand for eggs has led to unusual incidents, including thefts where culprits appear to treat eggs as valuable as gold.
The outbreak remains a persistent issue as the virus continues to mutate, spreading among birds, other animals, and even some humans. Whenever a chicken or turkey contracts the virus, the entire flock is culled to contain the disease.
While egg shortages are not uniform across all regions, predicting when a large poultry farm might be affected is impossible. A single outbreak in a major farm with millions of birds can significantly impact supply.
Consequently, egg prices have soared.
Jose Castillo, co-owner of Norma’s Sweets Bakery in New Orleans, has found it increasingly challenging to maintain affordable prices for Cuban sandwiches and king cakes due to soaring egg costs.
“Oh, it’s hurting man. It’s crazy how expensive eggs are,” Castillo said. “Normally we’ll get them for $35, $40 dollars a case and now we’re paying like $118, $120 dollars.”
Hard to find
Across the country, empty egg shelves have become a frequent sight. Many shoppers must visit multiple stores or turn to local farmers to secure eggs.
The bird flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has significantly impacted the poultry industry. Nearly 158 million birds have been culled, with most being egg-laying hens.
This mass slaughter has diminished egg supplies, pushing prices higher. However, with over 300 million chickens producing eggs nationwide for breakfast and baking, the industry is generally resilient enough to handle the loss of a few million birds without major disruptions.
The issue arises when mass cullings occur. In January alone, more than 23 million birds were slaughtered, following the December loss of 18 million.
Once egg farmers are forced to euthanize their entire flock, it takes at least one to two months before new hens can be introduced. The delay is due to the time required to dispose of carcasses and properly sanitize barns before restocking can occur. As a result, supply issues persist for weeks or even months.
Limiting purchases
In response to the shortage, some retailers have begun rationing egg sales.
Trader Joe’s has enforced a nationwide limit of one carton per customer per day.
“We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s,” the company said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Other retailers, including Costco, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Aldi, have also implemented varying restrictions. However, not all are imposing national limits.
A Kroger spokesperson confirmed that the supermarket chain has not set company-wide purchase limits. However, some regional divisions and store locations have restricted customers to buying no more than two dozen eggs per visit.
Walmart, meanwhile, has only limited bulk purchases. “Although supply is very tight, we’re working with suppliers to try and help meet customer demand, while striving to keep prices as low as possible,” the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant said in an emailed statement. The company clarified that only 60-count cartons have been capped at two per purchase.
An expensive option
The price of eggs has reached staggering levels. The nationwide average cost per dozen soared to $4.15 in December—more than double the summer 2023 price.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts prices will rise by another 20% this year.
As Easter approaches, demand for eggs is expected to climb due to their traditional role in holiday dishes and Easter egg hunts.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release updated inflation data, and egg prices are anticipated to have climbed even further. However, they are unlikely to surpass the record-high average of $4.82 per dozen set in January 2023.
These figures only reflect national averages. In some areas, consumers are already paying more than $10 per dozen, particularly for organic or cage-free options.
The impact extends beyond grocery stores, with some restaurants also raising prices. Waffle House, for example, recently announced a 50-cent surcharge per egg on all menu items.
Cracking the case
With eggs commanding such high prices, thefts have become an unexpected consequence.
Seattle police recently investigated the theft of over 500 eggs from a restaurant.
Surveillance footage from Luna Park Cafe in West Seattle captured two men entering a refrigerated storage shed last Wednesday in the early morning hours. The suspects stole approximately 540 eggs, liquid egg products, bacon, ground beef, and blueberries before loading the stolen items into a van. Authorities estimated the value of the stolen breakfast items at around $780.
A larger-scale theft took place earlier this month in Pennsylvania. Approximately 100,000 eggs were stolen from the back of a Pete & Gerry’s Organics distribution trailer in Antrim Township. The theft occurred around 8:40 p.m. on a Saturday night, according to police reports.
The stolen eggs had an estimated value of $40,000.
As bird flu continues to spread, disrupting egg supplies and driving prices higher, consumers and businesses alike are feeling the strain. With no immediate relief in sight, shoppers may have to brace for further price hikes and ongoing shortages.