As someone who depends on eggs for breakfast scrambles, avocado toast, and homemade desserts, the rising egg prices have made my weekly grocery shopping challenging.
Grocery stores have been heavily affected by the bird flu outbreak. From higher check-out bills to empty dairy aisles, the impact is clear. Over 30 million chickens have been culled to prevent the spread of the disease, according to The New York Times. For shoppers, this means egg shortages and increased prices.
With fewer healthy laying hens and a high demand for the limited stock, many consumers are going without their regular egg supply. If you do find eggs at your local store, they cost more than before.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average price of large Grade A eggs increased from $2.72 in March 2024 to $4.95 in January 2025. The Consumer Price Index calculated this as a 15.2% rise, marking the largest increase in a decade.
In my search to avoid higher prices, I investigated to find the cheapest eggs available.
### Where To Buy the Cheapest Eggs
While these retailers might have lower online prices, this is what I discovered in stores in New York:
Costco offers the best price at $4.25 per dozen eggs. However, these quickly sell out, and retailers like Costco are limiting egg purchase quantities. Employees at my local TJ’s shared that despite two daily shipments, eggs are gone by day’s end. At my nearest Whole Foods, only one to two cartons are stocked each morning, immediately selling out.
### How to Make Sure You Get Eggs
The simple solution is to call ahead, check stock availability, and confirm pricing to avoid wasted trips. Stores are also implementing purchase limits. Trader Joe’s nationwide restricts to one dozen eggs per customer. Kroger and ALDI set a limit of two dozen at certain locations, while Costco and Whole Foods allow three.
Remember, the avian flu and resulting egg shortages cause fluctuating availability and pricing. For up-to-date information, check with your local supermarket.
