Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods are among the growing list of supermarkets imposing a limit on egg purchases as the product shortage persists.
Companies have begun to impose limits on the product as the shortage caused by outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues, creating a frenzy among shoppers. Several viral videos have emerged in recent weeks showing shoppers stockpiling eggs. One video posted on TikTok claimed that an entire section of eggs at a Costco was cleared out in less than 10 minutes.
Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, has placed signs on its shelves notifying customers that they can only buy three cartons of eggs at a time.
“We are currently facing difficulties in obtaining eggs that meet our strict standards,” read a sign posted in one of its stores in New York City.
Kroger stated that it is also limiting egg sales at some of its locations. In stores where limits are in place, the company is asking customers to purchase only two dozen eggs at a time.
Trader Joe’s said it is limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day. The limit applies to all Trader Joe’s stores in the US, according to the company.
Experts warn that the egg shortage will continue as avian influenza outbreaks continue to impact the US laying hen flock.
In an interview with FOX Business, Bernt Nelson, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Foundation, estimated that more than 136 million birds have been affected by avian influenza since 2022. In December, there were over 18 million affected birds, which he said led to “empty supermarket shelves in some places and widespread higher prices.”
Egg prices rose 53% in January on a year-over-year basis, the Labor Department reported on Wednesday (12). Prices increased by 15.2% compared to the previous month.
In 2025, the USDA predicted that egg prices, which can vary significantly from month to month, will increase by more than 20%.
Consumers are not only feeling the effects of high egg prices at the supermarket but are also facing surcharges at restaurants.
The Waffle House, a breakfast food chain, added a temporary surcharge of 50 cents per egg to all its menus last week. The company blamed the current egg shortage for the dramatic rise in egg prices, stating that “consumers and restaurants are being forced to make tough decisions.”
Source: FOX News