What’s Going on With Eggs? Why Are They So Expensive Right Now?

Eggs have been cracking open new headlines for months, and it’s not just because of their sudden rise in price. Americans are now seeing the once humble egg—an essential ingredient in everything from breakfast scrambles to decadent cakes—costing more than ever before. Prices have surged, with the average cost of a dozen eggs topping $5.00 in early 2025. So what’s causing this egg-straordinary price hike? Let’s break down the factors behind this scrambled situation.

The Egg Shortage That Laid the Groundwork

It’s no surprise that the cost of eggs skyrocketed following a devastating avian flu outbreak in 2023. The highly contagious disease wiped out millions of egg-laying hens, severely disrupting the supply. With fewer hens laying eggs, the demand for what was available grew exponentially. For many, this meant paying more at the grocery store to fill up their cartons. Even as the industry has worked to recover, the effects linger—both in the form of the initial shortage and the long-term impact on egg production.

Inflation and the Price Tag Problem

As if the avian flu wasn’t enough, inflation has also contributed to the high price of eggs. The cost of feed, energy, labor, and transportation has been rising across the board, pushing up prices for farmers who already face slim profit margins. Even as the cost of eggs at the farm level increased, those costs are passed along to consumers. For anyone who’s been grocery shopping lately, it’s clear that the prices of many everyday goods have been climbing, and eggs are no exception. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing in the egg aisle is just another symptom of the broader economic pressures that are squeezing Americans at the checkout.

Supply Chain Snags: Not Just for Toilet Paper

Eggs, like many other products, depend on a finely-tuned supply chain to get from farm to table. And in 2025, that supply chain is still catching up. Shipping delays, fuel price hikes, and the labor shortages that have affected nearly every industry in the U.S. have continued to cause disruptions. These factors compound the costs of getting eggs from producers to consumers, adding extra costs that you can easily spot in your shopping cart. So, if you've noticed your eggs costing more and arriving less frequently on store shelves, it's no coincidence—supply chain troubles are still at play.

The Higher Standards for Eggs: From Cage-Free to Free Range

While the price hikes may seem steep, there's another factor in play: Americans’ increasing demand for ethically produced eggs. Consumers are more conscious than ever about how their eggs are produced. Cage-free, free-range, and organic eggs have become the standard for many buyers who are willing to pay a premium for higher-quality eggs. However, raising hens in more humane conditions is more costly for farmers. These eggs require more space, better feed, and, often, more labor. As a result, the price of ethically-produced eggs has soared, further driving up the overall cost of eggs at the grocery store. This isn’t just about making choices at the checkout—this is about changing expectations for how eggs are produced, which means higher prices across the board.

The Impact on Your Cart and Kitchen

For many American households, eggs are the ultimate budget-friendly protein. But with prices soaring, they’re no longer the economical staple they once were. Recipes that relied on multiple eggs, such as casseroles, baked goods, and even classic breakfast omelets, have seen their costs rise. For those cooking on a budget, this can be a real strain. While some have resorted to egg substitutes or alternatives, nothing truly compares to the versatility and taste of a fresh egg. Still, the pinch at the grocery store is undeniable, and it’s clear that 2025 is going to be an egg-filled year—just not in the way many of us had hoped.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Eggs

So, what’s next for the egg industry in the U.S.? Experts are hopeful that prices will stabilize as the effects of the avian flu fade and production ramps back up. However, the broader trends of inflation and rising production costs might mean that egg prices won’t be returning to their pre-2023 levels anytime soon. Consumers will likely have to adjust to higher costs in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, egg farmers and producers are likely focusing on finding ways to increase supply and efficiency while meeting the growing demand for sustainably raised eggs. It’s a delicate balance—one where the cost of eggs might not be quite so egg-stra in the future, but it won’t be cheap either.