The egg shortage in the United States is worsening, as the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a significant price hike. Due to the avian flu, which has led to the death of millions of egg-laying hens, egg prices surged over 15% in January compared to the previous month, marking the highest increase since 2015. Year-over-year, prices have jumped 55%, contributing to the largest rise in overall inflation since August 2023.
This price spike adds to the financial strain on American consumers already facing increased costs from food to gasoline. Grocery stores from New York to Chicago and Los Angeles have begun rationing eggs. Waffle House has temporarily imposed a 50-cent surcharge per egg to manage the situation.
In Chicago's Lincoln Park, a busy Whole Foods saw its egg shelves completely empty, highlighting the severity of the shortage. According to Elizabeth Renter, a senior economist at NerdWallet, not only are household kitchens and breakfast spots affected, but restaurants reliant on eggs are also feeling the impact.
Egg prices have been hitting record highs in recent months. As of February 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported an average price of $7.34 for a dozen eggs nationwide, a 10% increase from the previous week, setting a new record.
Since the avian flu outbreak in 2022, over 100 million egg-laying hens have died, according to the United Egg Producers. This has prompted many grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s and Costco, to implement purchase limits.
