Eggs have become so pricey that some national chains are restricting how many cartons shoppers can buy.
The cost of eggs has climbed sharply in recent months, with the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities hitting $4.95 in January, based on the most recent consumer price index. The surge has largely been blamed on the ongoing avian influenza outbreak.
Trader Joe’s has limited customers to one carton of eggs per person per day, and Costco patrons are capped at three egg packages. Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger and other grocery chains also have purchase limits, although those policies aren’t universal across every location.
Expect restaurant menus to reflect higher egg costs as well. For example, breakfast chains like Waffle House and Denny’s have added egg surcharges.
We’ve gathered a few suggestions for coping with elevated egg prices. We also offer tips for cheaper egg replacements in baking recipes. And if you’re contemplating a longer-term solution, we include guidance on keeping backyard hens so you can produce your own eggs.
First, let’s examine what’s driving the problem.
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Bird Flu and the Loss of Roughly 160 Million Birds
Last year, a dozen eggs might have cost around $2.50. Today, in many regions it’s closer to $5. In parts of California, a dozen eggs can run about $9.
Some of this steep increase reflects general inflation and supply-chain disruptions, but the dominant factor is a severe avian flu outbreak among U.S. flocks, which has killed roughly 160 million birds since the virus emerged in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A large share of those were egg-laying hens.
Egg demand is so strong that authorities are noticing a rise in egg smuggling. Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported more attempts to bring eggs into the country illegally from Mexico, where prices are lower. (Importing uncooked eggs from Mexico into the U.S. is prohibited because of bird-flu risk.)
And then there are the jokes online: It’s now too costly to egg someone’s house. Easter egg hunts are being joked about as canceled. Placing eggs in your shopping cart has become a tongue-in-cheek signal of affluence.
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Will Egg Prices Eventually Drop?
Analysts anticipate egg prices will decline at some point, but the timing is uncertain. The USDA projects egg prices could increase about 20% in 2025. Prices are unlikely to revert to pre-inflation levels soon. Still, the effects of a widespread avian influenza outbreak should gradually diminish.
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Are Consumers Facing Price Gouging?
A farming advocacy nonprofit called Farm Action is urging the Federal Trade Commission to probe potential price gouging by the nation’s largest egg producers.
The group wants antitrust officials to review record earnings at major companies, including Cal-Maine Foods, which holds about 20% of the retail egg market.
So what practical steps can you take?
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Save Money With These Baking Egg Alternatives
We’ve put together a full guide on budget-friendly baking swaps for ingredients such as eggs, butter, sugar, milk and chocolate.
Replacing eggs in baking can be challenging, but with prices as they are, it may be necessary.
Certain ingredients can replicate the leavening that eggs provide, notably baking powder and baking soda. Getting the proportions right can be tricky. Surprisingly, carbonated water works well as an egg substitute in baked items like cakes and muffins.
Egg Baking Substitutes
| Substitute | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Carbonated water (club soda) | ¼ cup = 1 egg |
| Water, oil and baking powder | 2 Tbsp. water + 2 tsp. BP + 1 tsp. oil = 1 egg |
| Mashed banana | ¼ cup = 1 egg |
| Nut butter | 3 tablespoons = 1 egg |
If you lack baking powder, you can substitute one-third the amount of baking soda.
Keep in mind that mashed banana will alter flavor and produce a denser, gummier texture. For certain baked treats, however, the extra moisture from bananas can improve the final product.
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The Case for Backyard Chickens
What else can you try? If you’re open to a larger commitment, consider raising backyard chickens so you can produce your own eggs.
Here’s a primer on keeping backyard hens — what’s involved and potential costs.
Be cautious: it isn’t necessarily simple. Before impulsively buying chicks, weigh the expenses and responsibilities tied to chicken care.
Still, it’s one method to secure a more consistent egg supply.
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Alex Mercer (alex.mercer@example.com) is a senior writer at Savinly. Jordan Hale, a senior writer at Savinly, contributed.
