Why Is US Scrambling For Eggs? What’s Behind The Shortage & Soaring Prices | Explained

The unprecedented shortage has caused widespread concern, with empty or poorly stocked egg shelves becoming a common sight in supermarkets across the country. Some stores have even imposed limits on the number of egg cartons customers can purchase.

What’s Causing The Shortage?

The root cause of the egg shortage can be traced back to a resurgence of avian flu, also known as bird flu, which has wreaked havoc on poultry farms across the United States. Since 2022, nearly 170 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been wiped out due to the virus.

As a result, egg production in the country has taken a severe hit, forcing farmers to cull at least 30 million birds and sharply restricting supply.

In fact, more than 21 million egg-laying hens have been euthanized this year alone, according to data released by the US Agriculture Department in February.

The majority of these hens were located in Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri. The department had also reported the “depopulation" of an additional 13.2 million birds in December of the previous year.

As a result, egg production has taken a sharp hit, forcing farmers to cull at least 30 million birds and sharply constraining supply.

Supply-Demand Imbalance

With fewer hens available to lay eggs, the supply has dramatically decreased. As poultry specialist Jada Thompson from the University of Arkansas explained to the news agency AFP, “If there’s no birds to lay eggs… then we have a supply shortage, and that leads to higher prices because of supply and demand dynamics."

According to the US consumer price index data, egg prices surged by 12% in February, and nearly 59% compared to the previous year. This sharp increase in prices has had a domino effect on the economy, with grocery shoppers seeing higher prices and restaurants being forced to raise menu costs.

Govt’s Response

To address the crisis, Trump administration has rolled out a $1 billion plan aimed at reducing egg prices. This initiative includes efforts to help farmers prevent the spread of the virus, research vaccine options, and support the importation of eggs from countries such as Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea.

Additionally, the US has approached Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands for egg imports, although responses have been mixed. Finland has declined the request due to market access issues, and the US has turned its focus to Lithuania for additional supplies.

The US has also significantly increased its imports of Brazilian eggs, which were previously used primarily for pet food. In February, imports from Brazil increased by 93% compared to the previous year, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association.

Creative Campaigning Amid Shortage

As the price of eggs continues to rise, the crisis has led to some unexpected responses. For instance, The Ordinary, a popular skincare brand, entered the egg market with a creative marketing campaign, selling eggs for $3.37 per dozen.

In a promotional Instagram video, the brand showcased a carton of eggs labelled “Ordinarily Priced Eggs," offering them for sale at select locations in New York City. The move sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some praising the ingenuity and others criticising the brand for selling eggs despite its vegan certification.

ALSO READ: Amid Shortage And Soaring Prices, Skincare Brand Sells Eggs For $3.37 Per Dozen In NYC