Some grocery stores are now limiting how many eggs shoppers can buy.
WASHINGTON — With eggs in short supply around the country, some retailers are putting limits on the number of eggs customers can buy at one time.
Ongoing bird flu outbreaks have been blamed for the egg shortage and soaring prices. Prices have more than doubled since the summer of 2023 and millions of chickens are still being slaughtered every month because of bird flu.
As a result, Trader Joe’s is one of several grocery stores limiting how many eggs shoppers can buy.
“Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe’s stores across the country,” the company confirmed in a statement. “We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s.
According to users on social media, certain Costco stores have been occasionally limiting purchases of eggs to three cartons per customer. The San Francisco Standard reported on a similar limit on egg purchases starting at a San Francisco Costco last week.
According to PIX 11 in New York City, Whole Foods is also limiting customers to three cartons each.
While some stores are limiting how many eggs shoppers can buy, there doesn’t appear to be any relief in sight from the surge in prices.
The average cost per dozen nationwide hit $4.15 in December. That’s not quite as high as the $4.82 record set two years ago, but the Agriculture Department predicts prices are going to soar another 20% this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
