Shoppers Are Seeing an Egg Shortage Right Now—Here’s Why

It’s been tough to shop for groceries since 2020. Most Americans have struggled to shop on a budget because of higher costs. Now, when prices at some major retailers have finally begun to cool, there’s something else for shoppers to worry about: an egg shortage.

Consumers may feel the egg shortage and price fluctuations throughout the United States—especially at retailers like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, which are reportedly making an effort to transition to a cage-free egg supply. Meanwhile, some states may experience more significant food shortages in the near future as they move to implement or enforce state laws with cage-free egg production requirements. In Arizona, Colorado and Michigan, for example, shoppers may have a harder time finding eggs on grocery store shelves as these states move to enforce new cage-free egg regulations that go into effect in January 2025.

What is causing the egg shortage right now?

Several different causes are contributing to the egg shortage and price fluctuations. Below are a few of the reasons you might see an egg shortage or higher egg prices the next time you visit your grocery store.

• Bird flu: The Centers for Disease Control report that the current public health risk from bird flu in the United States is low. But there have been sporadic outbreaks among poultry flocks throughout the country, along with ongoing multi-state outbreaks of avian flu among dairy cattle.
• Increased holiday demand: Eggs experience increased demand at the grocery store during the holidays. Butter is another food item that grocers have a hard time keeping on the shelves due to global milk shortages—and the price of butter is climbing this holiday season as a result.
• Trader Joe’s (and others) changing to cage-free eggs: Certain supermarket chains, like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, have made recent efforts to carry cage-free eggs. According to the USDA, a cage-free designation means that the hens that laid the eggs must be free to roam (both vertically and horizontally) in indoor houses. Because fewer egg suppliers produce cage-free eggs, the available supply for grocers to purchase is limited.
• Rumors and panic: The USDA projects that the U.S. will experience only a 1% decline in egg production in 2024 compared to the previous year. Intermittent egg shortages and rumors have triggered panic buying among consumers in many cases. Instead of shoppers buying the normal dozen eggs on their weekly grocery list, some households purchase two, three, or four dozen eggs at a time. This overbuying behavior only makes the problem worse.

How long will the shortage last?

Egg prices may continue to climb from late 2024 into early 2025, according to USDA projections. If the avian flu continues its unpredictable path, the egg shortage may continue in intermittent waves throughout the country—even after the holidays. Bird flu often continues to spread throughout the spring due to the migration habits of wild birds.

According to USDA data, a large number of chick hatches are scheduled to take place in early 2025. Once these occur, egg production numbers could start to rebound.

In the meantime, shoppers may want to consider egg substitutions when baking. And, of course, it’s helpful to know the cheapest places to buy groceries right now to stretch your budget as far as possible.