The price of eggs is expected to increase by another 20% this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), due to a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. The virus has already led to the deaths of over 23 million birds in December 2024 alone. This is causing a national egg shortage, with widespread repercussions across various industries.
The outbreak is having significant effects on the food industry. Restaurants like Waffle House have announced plans to add a 50-cent surcharge per egg to orders due to the shortage. Grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Sprout are also limiting the number of egg cartons patrons can purchase.
The cause of the egg shortage is linked to the H5N1 strain of bird flu that started affecting livestock on US turkey farms in 2020. The virus has since spread to other animals, including goats, dairy cows, and humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported over 60 human cases of the virus.
Despite some improvement in the national egg supply, wholesale prices are expected to continue rising due to persistent HPAI outbreaks. As of February 7, USDA reported that over 149 flocks were detected with the avian influenza, affecting more than 23 million birds. The shortage is causing limited and inconsistent shell egg availability in many retail markets, leading some grocers to limit consumer purchasing and maintain high prices.
The situation is dire for the food industry, with no clear end date in sight for the bird flu outbreak.
Source: https://time.com/7221173/why-eggs-are-so-expensive-right-now