According to the latest information released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on February 6, the price of eggs in the United States continues to rise, with distributors showing very low procurement willingness, only purchasing based on demand, and the market supply remains tight. However, a chain supermarket was found to be selling its own brand of eggs at a lower price, with a dozen eggs priced at only $4.19 and organic eggs at just $4.69 per dozen, much cheaper than regular white eggs.
In December 2024, an outbreak of avian flu led to the culling of 13.2 million egg-laying chickens, and the epidemic continues into early 2025. As of now, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed 8 outbreaks in 5 states (California, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, and Indiana), resulting in the deaths of 8.3 million chickens, with 6.8 million from traditional cage systems and 1.5 million from cage-free systems. These losses represent 3.7% and 1.5% of the traditional cage and cage-free chicken populations in the U.S., respectively.
The price of regular white eggs is usually cheaper, but according to USDA data, on February 5, a dozen Extra Large eggs cost $7.83, increasing to over $7.88 on February 6. Large eggs rose from $7.81 to $7.86, and medium eggs from $6.76 to $6.82, with an average increase of over 5 cents.
New York supermarkets typically sell eggs in 12-pack containers. With the continuous rise in egg prices, observers have noticed many supermarkets displaying more 6-pack egg cartons, possibly to give customers the perception of a lower unit price for easier acceptance.
Due to the importance of egg freshness for taste, many supermarkets are procuring based on demand and have begun enforcing purchase limits. Mr. Li stated that his local H-mart supermarket is limiting egg purchases to 2 cartons per person.
Hearing about the abnormal fluctuations in egg prices, Ms. Zhang, a New York resident who loves eggs, expressed, “The egg prices are getting outrageous, and I can’t bear to eat as many now. I used to cook 2 eggs for each family member, but now it’s down to 1.” She added, “Looks like we might have to switch to tofu, or buy quail or goose eggs, which used to be too expensive but are now comparable in price.”
Affordable eggs have suddenly become in high demand, with reports of individuals targeting them for zero-dollar shopping. Some residents claim to have received pictures of a person stealing 6 eggs daily from a supermarket without being noticed. Observing customers opening packages to inspect eggs before purchase has become a common sight in supermarkets.
Despite the rising prices, New Yorkers are still able to find the cheapest eggs available. Ms. Li, who frequently purchases eggs, recently bought an 18-pack at Walmart for only $8, considering it as the best deal she could find.
For cafeterias and restaurants with high demand, it is essential to compare prices from multiple sources. Jason, a Chinese restaurant ingredient purchaser, mentioned that egg prices at his usual spot, Restaurant Depot, have also increased. He opted to switch to a supermarket with a predominantly white customer base, where he found 30-dozen eggs cheaper by $20 to $30.
Jason noted an interesting trend where white eggs are more popular among Western supermarkets while yellow eggs are preferred by the Chinese. He said, “I see Westerners love white eggs, but here, the yellow eggs that Chinese prefer are cheaper.” He found that a supermarket in Queens’ Elmhurst district had run out of white eggs during his visit.
A reporter visited a Whole Foods Market in Manhattan yesterday and found an ample supply of yellow eggs, but few were being purchased. The supermarket’s own brand, “365” eggs, were the cheapest at $4.19 per dozen.
Why are these brand eggs so affordable? Store staff explained that the brand operates its farm, enabling a direct-to-consumer sales model, unaffected by external suppliers. Indeed, the non-“365” brand eggs at the same supermarket were priced similarly to those in other supermarkets.
Despite hearing about the affordable eggs at this supermarket, Jason hesitated to make a purchase, concerned about freshness. Upon inspection, the labeling on the $4.19 dozen eggs showed a date of January 24. Surprisingly, even the “365” organic eggs labeled with a February 3 date were priced at just $4.69, with the store emphasizing “Low Price – Same High Standards.”
Regarding the uncommon situation where organic and free-range eggs are priced lower than regular white eggs, Joe Viscomi, the assistant director of operations at Morton Williams, a large supermarket chain in New York, explained to the New York Post that farms producing organic and free-range eggs were also affected by the avian flu. However, due to existing supply contracts with lower price commitments, such significant price differences emerged.
Viscomi mentioned to the New York Post that these lower-cost supply contracts are due to expire in the following weeks, potentially pushing the prices of organic and free-range eggs beyond $10 per dozen.
With the recent rise in egg prices, the cost of baking ingredients like eggs for cakes has also increased. Ms. Tan, a mother of two, suggested purchasing cakes from the ShopRite bakery counters, where a 6-inch cake costs just over $10, meeting children’s birthday needs economically.
Overall, while the egg prices soar, New Yorkers are navigating the market to find the best deals on eggs to meet their needs.