Grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and others are limiting egg purchases across the US due to a bird flu outbreak affecting chicken supplies. To combat soaring prices, these chains are capping carton purchases at one per customer each day. Some regional divisions of bigger retailers, such as Kroger and Walmart, have also implemented similar limits on egg sales.
The US egg price has more than doubled in summer 2023 due to avian flu forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month. The average price per dozen nationwide reached $4.15 in December, with the Agriculture Department predicting prices will soar another 20% this year. Retailers face added pressure as Easter demand approaches.
Some restaurants are also feeling the impact, with Waffle House announcing a 50-cent surcharge on all egg dishes last week. The UN World Food Program reported a staffer’s death in a Yemeni prison after being detained by Houthi rebels, and Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI could complicate matters for the company.
Source: https://www.startribune.com/as-egg-prices-continue-to-soar-grocers-like-trader-joes-limit-how-many-cartons-customers-can-buy/601220383