As the H5N1 virus continues its rampant spread, American consumers face an unprecedented egg shortage crisis.
Quick Takes
- Grocery stores nationwide are capping egg purchases due to avian flu and soaring prices.
- The H5N1 bird flu has led to a significant decline in egg-laying hen populations.
- Wholesale egg prices have hit a striking $8 per dozen.
- Restaurants are raising prices and limiting egg-based offerings due to the shortage.
Capping Purchases in the Face of Shortages
Grocery chains like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Whole Foods are imposing limits on egg purchases. Trader Joe’s has introduced a “one carton per customer” policy, while Costco allows three packages of eggs per day. At Whole Foods, consumers find themselves restricted to three cartons, citing sourcing issues. This strategy aims to manage the current supply shortage prompted by the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, impacting poultry in states like Maryland and Indiana.
Major retailers like Walmart are limiting customers to two bulk 60-egg cartons. Kroger restricts purchases to two cartons, echoing Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods’ sentiment that constraints will assist customers in accessing eggs more efficiently. The USDA has also reported a production drop further exacerbating market conditions.
Economic and Consumer Impact
The USDA, pointing to continued culling of avian influenza-infected flocks, notes a 3% egg production decline and a 2% egg-laying poultry population decrease. These challenges have resulted in egg prices rising 37% in December 2024 and forecasts predict another 20% increase by the end of 2025.
Restaurants are similarly affected, with Waffle House levying an extra 50-cent per egg surcharge. Smaller establishments are also grappling with significant cost increases, undermining operations reliant on the once-affordable commodity. Viral footage shows shoppers vying to stockpile eggs at double the regular price, illustrating heightened consumer pressure amid the production slump.
The Road Ahead
Previous outbreaks inform current best practices including the culling of affected flocks to mitigate viral transmission, yet the scale of this crisis surpasses any prior events. Since 2022, over 136 million birds have suffered from avian influenza nationwide. A New York farm recently euthanized 100,000 ducks to stem infection rates, highlighting the severity of the outbreak.
Experts caution that the H5N1 virus remains highly contagious within avian populations, casting doubt on swift recovery prospects. With such dynamic conditions, policymakers, farmers, retailers, and consumers are forced to navigate this complex crisis with foresight and adaptability in 2025 and beyond.
