The Egg Shortage, Explained—Why Are Eggs So Expensive?
Stephanie Gravalese
Contributor
Jan 6, 2025,10:23pm EST
Updated Jan 8, 2025, 10:01am EST
Empty egg shelves and soaring prices have become a familiar sight in 2024 and into 2025.
Egg prices have soared over 60% in the last year, with supply chain disruptions leaving shelves sparse. Here's why eggs are in short supply, what's driving the price surge, and what lies ahead.
Eggs are simple, affordable and a kitchen staple. Lately, however, they've become pricier and harder to find, with the national average cost for a dozen jumping 63% over the last year, according to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)?. What's behind this egg crisis?
A perfect storm of disease, costs and demand is reshaping the market, leaving consumers scrambling for answers.
Why Are Eggs So Expensive?
Egg prices have jumped 63% in just a year. From avian flu to rising production costs, here’s why ... [+]
The shortage isn't a simple matter of supply and demand; it's the result of several compounding issues.
Avian Flu Epidemic
At the heart of the crisis is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). According to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the outbreak has impacted nearly 110 million birds, including egg-laying hens, since January 2022, making it the worst outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history?. HPAI has been detected in 48 states, with significant losses reported in Utah, Washington, and Oregon—key egg-producing regions??.
Rising Production CostsInflation is adding to the strain. Farmers are facing higher prices for feed, fuel, and labor. While no specific breakdown is available in these reports, general production costs have risen sharply across the agricultural sector.
Increased Seasonal DemandAs noted in a report by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, egg consumption typically spikes during the holiday season, especially in November and December when demand for baking is at its highest?. This seasonal surge, combined with the supply issues caused by avian flu, has further tightened availability.
Policy ChangesState regulations requiring cage-free egg production in places like California and Massachusetts are also playing a role. As farms transition to meet these requirements, production challenges and distribution bottlenecks have emerged, according to the EPA?.
Rising Demand for Eggs–A Long-Term Trend
Egg consumption peaks during the holidays for baking and cooking, but supply hasn’t been able to ... [+]
Getty ImagesEgg consumption in the United States has steadily increased over the past two decades. According to United Egg Producers, per capita egg consumption has grown by approximately 4.8% since 2000, reflecting a rising preference for eggs as a versatile and affordable protein source?.
Despite recent disruptions caused by the avian flu outbreak, this growing demand underscores eggs' importance in the American diet.
Impact Felt All Around: From Costco Shelves to Family Farms
While consumers face higher prices, farmers are working to rebuild flocks lost to the flu—a process ... [+]
Getty ImagesThe impact of the egg shortage has been felt in homes, grocery stores, and farms across the country. The national average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.37 in October 2024, up from $2.07 the year before, as reported by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service?. Some grocery stores have even resorted to limiting purchases per customer to manage supply, according to a report by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)?.
Customers of major retailers like Costco have reported limited egg supplies, with some California stores experiencing an acute shortage due to avian flu and local cage-free egg requirements.
What Does This Shortage Tell Us About Food Systems?The egg shortage highlights vulnerabilities in industrial farming systems. As the USDA and other sources have reported, the heavy reliance on large-scale operations makes the food supply chain especially susceptible to disruptions like disease outbreaks. Some Americans are increasingly exploring backyard chicken farming as an option, seeking to gain greater control over their food supply.
What's Next For Egg Prices?
USDA forecasts suggest that egg production may remain below normal levels into 2025, leaving prices ... [+]
Getty ImagesThe future of egg prices remains uncertain. The USDA has adjusted its production forecasts downward for 2025, indicating that recovery from this year's supply losses could take longer than expected?. While some experts are hopeful prices will stabilize as flocks are replenished, the timeline remains unclear.
In the meantime, this crisis serves as a reminder of how interconnected our food systems are—and how critical it is to build resilience into them for the future.
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