Egg-heist, surcharge per piece and more: Why is the US facing an egg crisis?

From breakfast tables to bakery shelves, eggs have long been an American kitchen essential. But lately, they’ve become harder to find—and much more expensive.

Prices have skyrocketed, popular restaurant chains like Waffle House are imposing a 50-cent surcharge per egg, and some supermarkets have even placed caps on the number of cartons a customer can buy. But the most startling sign of the crisis? A massive theft where 100,000 eggs worth $40,000 (Rs 34 lakh) were stolen from a grocery store.

So, what’s causing this egg shortage in the US, and when can consumers expect relief? Here’s what we know.

The egg heist

As the demand for eggs continues to worry US consumers, some people have taken desperate measures.

In a recent incident, 100,000 eggs were stolen from a distribution trailer in south-central Pennsylvania. As per a USA Today report, the theft occurred around 8:40 pm at Pete and Gerry’s Organics LLC in Greencastle, as per Pennsylvania State Police. The stolen eggs are valued at approximately $40,000 (Rs 34 lakh).

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Authorities have yet to release further details, and an investigation is underway. The egg supplier acknowledged the theft, stating that they are “actively working” with law enforcement to resolve the matter.

“We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment any further on this matter,” the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, restaurants across the US are feeling the impact of the ongoing egg shortage. Nationwide, egg prices have surged by 65.1 per cent compared to two years ago.

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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs in December 2024 was $4.15, up from $2.51 in December 2023. However, the situation has worsened, with wholesale prices for a dozen large eggs now exceeding $7 (Rs 611) in multiple states, as per USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) data.

Pay extra for every egg you eat

The rising cost of eggs has pushed even popular diner chains like Waffle House to introduce a 50-cent surcharge per egg at its 2,100 locations across the US, the company confirmed in a statement.

While the Geogia-based chain assured customers that the extra charge is “temporary,” it acknowledged the strain on both businesses and consumers.

“Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions,” the statement read. “While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last. We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.”

Other restaurant chains are also adapting to the crisis. Biscuit Belly, a breakfast chain with 14 locations across six southern states, has already switched to cheaper eggs. CEO Chad Coulter told Bloomberg that the company is now considering using liquid eggs for dishes like scrambled eggs, omelettes, and batters.

“We know the consumer is fed up with high prices,” Coulter said. “We’re just going to hold off for now and watch the market.”

Higher egg prices especially affect restaurants and bakeries, which often have to buy eggs wholesale.

Egg rationing at supermarkets

Supermarkets across the US have also started limiting egg purchases as shortages intensify.

In Chicago, major grocers like Aldi, Fresh Thyme, and Mariano’s (owned by Kroger Co.) have capped egg purchases at two cartons per customer. Signs at Mariano’s storefronts warn shoppers about the supply crunch.

Earlier in January, Axios reported that Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods locations in Washington, DC, were urging customers to buy eggs in moderation. At least one Whole Foods store even set a limit of three dozen per customer.

Karyn Rispoli, managing editor for eggs in the Americas at price-reporting service Expana, told Axios that “Businesses are evaluating all of their options at this point and looking for the most affordable way to cover their needs.”

What’s behind the egg shortage?

The biggest culprit behind the ongoing egg crisis is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu , which first appeared in Canada before spreading to the US in 2022.

Since February 8, 2022, when the virus was first detected in a commercial flock, more than 147 million birds—including 108 million egg-laying chickens—have either died or been culled to prevent further outbreaks.

Experts told PolitiFact that once a bird contracts the virus, entire flocks are culled to stop its spread. While this helps protect nearby farms, the poultry industry, and public health, it also wreaks havoc on egg supply.

After a brief lull, the virus made a comeback in 2024, forcing the culling of roughly 17 million egg-laying hens in November and December alone—nearly half of all birds lost that year, according to the USDA.

“Based on the amount of birds that we have lost in the last few months, and the hen population, there just isn’t enough production to support the amount of demand that we have,” Karyn Rispoli told The Guardian. “We’re at a point now where we’re truly in a shortage.”

The crisis continued into 2025, with another 14 million birds lost in just the last week due to outbreaks in Arizona, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Washington.

When will the prices come down?

There’s no clear answer to when egg prices will return to normal, but experts suggest it may not happen until after 2025, according to USA Today.

A key factor in price recovery is how quickly farmers can replenish their flocks of healthy, egg-laying hens. However, with bird flu outbreaks still ongoing, that process remains uncertain.

“The reality is the system for egg production is both complex and time-sensitive. While we can’t predict the future, what we know right now is that our system is strained—and HPAI remains a clear and present risk to poultry flocks. It’s going to take a sustained period with no additional HPAI detections on egg farms to stabilise supply,” the Egg Board stated.

According to a USDA Food Price Outlook released on January 24, egg prices are expected to remain high throughout 2025. The report predicts an increase of 20.3 per cent in egg prices for the year—far above the 2.2 per cent expected rise in overall food prices.

For now, consumers may have to brace for continued high costs at grocery stores, while businesses look for alternative ways to keep eggs on their menus.

With input from agencies