Egg shortage in the United States: Major retail chains have introduced restrictions

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 02. 11. 09:10

The bird flu outbreak in the United States is becoming a growing problem, causing egg supplies to dwindle significantly and prices to skyrocket. In response, two major retail chains, Costco and Trader Joe’s, have imposed limits on how many eggs a customer can buy at one time, CNN reports.

Egg purchase limits

Trader Joe’s, which has more than 600 stores, is limiting its customers to a maximum of one dozen eggs per day. Costco has set a limit of three cartons of eggs per person, compared to the usual 12 eggs per carton.

Other chains, such as Kroger, have not yet imposed nationwide restrictions, but may impose purchase limits in individual stores, depending on supply.

A Trader Joe’s store in California already has a sign warning customers of a limit of one dozen eggs per day, CNN reported.

Egg prices are rising sharply

Avian influenza killed 40 million poultry in the United States last year, causing a drastic reduction in supply on the market. As a result, egg prices have also started to increase significantly. From November to December 2023, prices increased by 14 percent, and according to the US Department of Agriculture, prices are expected to increase by up to 20 percent by the end of the year.