Recently, outbreaks of avian flu in multiple U.S. states have led to a severe shortage of eggs, causing prices to soar and sparking panic buying among the public.
Outbreaks Spread, Egg Supply in Crisis
Since 2022, avian flu has been spreading across the United States. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over 145 million birds, including chickens and turkeys, have been culled since the outbreak began, with the majority being laying hens. In December 2024 alone, millions of commercial egg-laying chickens died from avian flu. Brian Moscogiuri, a global trade strategist at California-based supplier Eggs Unlimited, said that since October 2024, the industry has lost 26 million birds, accounting for more than 7% of the national flock.
Egg Prices Skyrocket, Panic Buying Takes Hold
The significant reduction in egg supply due to avian flu has led to a sharp increase in prices. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average price of eggs nationwide reached $4.15 per dozen in December 2024, while in California, the price soared to a record $8.85 per dozen. In January 2025, the death of 8.3 million chickens further exacerbated the egg shortage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that egg prices will rise by an average of 20.3% in 2025, while overall food prices are expected to increase by about 2.2%.
Under the dual pressures of rising prices and supply shortages, American consumers have begun panic buying. On the morning of February 4, more than 200 people lined up outside a supermarket in Azusa, California, waiting to purchase eggs. One resident said that a dozen eggs were selling for $16, more expensive than meat, yet people still scrambled to buy them. In Pennsylvania, a theft of 100,000 eggs even occurred, highlighting the scarcity and high value of eggs.
Impact on the Catering Industry
The soaring egg prices have not only affected ordinary consumers but also hit the catering industry. The well-known American chain restaurant Waffle House announced that due to the sharp increase in egg prices caused by avian flu, it would charge an additional fee for eggs sold at over 2,000 stores. The National Restaurant Association of the United States issued a statement saying that egg prices had increased by nearly 40% in the past year.
Uncertain Outlook, Public Anxiety Grows
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said that egg supply and prices would only stabilize when farms and producers could restock from avian flu. However, the avian flu outbreak is still ongoing, and the egg shortage is unlikely to ease in the short term. Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, said that the U.S. has set new highs in egg demand for more than 20 months in a row, and consumers will have to endure the price hike for a while longer.
This egg crisis, triggered by avian flu, has not only affected the daily lives of American citizens but also had a profound impact on the entire food supply chain and the catering industry.