Shoppers across the country are facing new restrictions on egg purchases as grocery chains struggle to keep up with demand. Retailers such as Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts Farmers Market have implemented strict limits as supply shortages worsen due to widespread poultry culling in response to bird flu cases.
Over the past three years, health officials have ordered the mass slaughter of poultry following bird flu detections. Since 2022, more than 148 million birds have been euthanized, devastating egg production. Critics argue that the response, rather than the virus itself, is the primary cause of the ongoing supply crisis.
In response to dwindling stock, Trader Joe’s has set a one-dozen-per-customer limit, while Whole Foods has restricted purchases to three cartons per visit. Sprouts Farmers Market has placed a cap of four dozen per transaction, warning customers that shortages could last for weeks.
In Missouri and Illinois, at least 60 stores, including Costco and Trader Joe’s locations, have begun rationing eggs. Reports from shoppers indicate that shelves are often bare, with some stores selling out within minutes of restocking. Videos circulating online show shoppers scrambling to grab cartons before they disappear.
Egg prices have more than doubled since 2020, with the average cost reaching $3.82 per dozen. Some regions have reported prices exceeding $9 per carton, making eggs one of the most expensive grocery staples. Restaurant chains like Waffle House have responded by adding surcharges for eggs to offset rising costs.
With supply chain disruptions expected to continue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that prices could increase another 20% this year. Despite the economic impact on consumers, federal policies regarding poultry culling remain unchanged.
