Egg prices are soaring across the United States, prompting major grocery chains-including Trader Joe's, Kroger, Costco, and Whole Foods-to impose purchasing limits as the country grapples with an ongoing bird flu outbreak. The restrictions come as the price of eggs jumped 36.8% in December from a year earlier, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with further increases expected in 2025.
"We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe's," the company said in a statement. Trader Joe's is restricting customers to one dozen eggs per day nationwide, while Kroger has capped purchases at two dozen per trip in certain locations. Costco has also implemented a limit of three packages per customer.
Whole Foods posted in-store notices informing customers that supply shortages have made it difficult to source eggs that meet its animal welfare standards. Aldi and Walmart have also faced supply constraints, with Walmart confirming that bulk egg purchases of 60-count cartons are now restricted to two per customer.
The shortage stems from the ongoing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, which has devastated the U.S. laying hen flock. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Foundation, estimated that more than 136 million birds have been affected by the virus since 2022. In December alone, over 18 million birds were impacted, leading to "bare grocery shelves in some places and widespread higher prices," Nelson said.
Egg prices, which fluctuate due to supply constraints, are projected to rise another 20% in 2025, according to the USDA. Avian flu outbreaks have forced farmers to slaughter millions of chickens each month, significantly reducing supply and inflating costs. The crisis has been exacerbated by the seasonal increase in demand leading up to Easter.
Beyond grocery stores, consumers are also feeling the impact at restaurants. Waffle House, a national breakfast chain, recently added a 50-cent surcharge per egg to its menu, citing the rising cost of supplies. "Consumers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions," the company said in a statement.
Independent restaurants have also been hit hard. Eric See, owner and head chef of the New York-based Mexican café and bakery Ursula, told FOX Business that whole egg prices have doubled, while the cost of liquid eggs has increased by about 25%.
The latest restrictions come as viral videos circulate on social media showing shoppers stockpiling eggs, with some claiming that entire sections of eggs at stores like Costco have been wiped out within minutes. The growing demand has added pressure to retailers already struggling to keep shelves stocked.
Walmart and Target have acknowledged supply challenges but have not imposed nationwide limits beyond restricting bulk purchases. "Although supply is very tight, we're working with suppliers to try and help meet customer demand while striving to keep prices as low as possible," Walmart said in a statement.
