State police in Chambersburg reported that the eggs were stolen around 8:30 PM on February 1 from Pete & Gerry’s Organics in Greencastle. They estimate the retail value of the stolen eggs to be around $40,000.
The company told WLYH-TV, “We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible. Since this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further.”
Egg Shortage Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
A resurgence of avian flu in the U.S. has led to a nationwide egg shortage. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, since January 2022, 108 million poultry birds have been affected, including 75 million egg-laying hens. The outbreak surged again in late 2024, leading to 17 million hens being culled or relocated in November and December alone.
Egg prices have soared, with a dozen eggs costing $5.29 in the week ending January 18, a sharp increase from February 2024, when prices were just over $3.50, according to NIQ consumer research. In some metropolitan areas, like Los Angeles, eggs are selling for over $9 per dozen.
Restaurant chains are also feeling the impact. Waffle House has added a 50-cent surcharge per egg due to rising costs.
Nationwide Scarcity
Restaurants across the U.S. are struggling with the egg shortage, which has already affected grocery stores from New York City to San Francisco, driving prices up to $7 per dozen.
Biscuit Belly, a breakfast chain with 14 locations across six southern states, has switched to using cheaper eggs. CEO Chad Coulter stated that he found large brown eggs for $55 per case, 21% cheaper than the medium white eggs the company typically prefers. A case usually contains 15 dozen eggs.
However, egg prices are still double what they were a year ago, prompting the chain to transition to liquid eggs (pre-beaten whole eggs, often with citric acid as an additive) for scrambled eggs, omelets, and batter.
“I told our managers that when you find these large brown eggs for $55, stock up as much as you can,” Coulter said. “We buy whenever the price is right.”
Egg prices continue to hit record highs as bird flu spreads nationwide, killing millions of hens.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the wholesale price of a dozen large eggs in the Midwest is now $7.08, about seven times the price two years ago.
The United Egg Producers group reports that 104 million egg-laying hens have died since the outbreak began in 2022, including 29 million culled since October 2024. This has resulted in grocery store shortages just as consumers continue to stockpile eggs.
Egg Prices & Weight-Loss Drugs Fuel Demand
Amanda Oren, Vice President of Grocery Strategy for North America at Relex Solutions, noted that medications like Ozempic, originally designed for diabetes treatment but widely used for weight loss, are driving egg demand as a high-protein food source.
In New York City, a dozen pasture-raised eggs at Whole Foods Inc. is priced at $11.99. The retailer has limited purchases to three cartons per customer at certain locations.
Shoppers in Nassau County, Long Island, found that Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs and Nellie’s free-range eggs were sold out online at Whole Foods last week.
Organic & Free-Range Egg Shortages
Organic eggs are also in short supply. Over the weekend, ShopRite in Brooklyn had near-empty refrigerated shelves, with the few remaining cartons priced at about $1 per egg.
According to grocery delivery app Instacart, a nearby Costco had completely sold out of eggs, except for quail eggs, while a Wegmans store had run out of certain store-brand items.
In Chicago, grocery chains such as Aldi, Fresh Thyme, and Mariano’s (owned by Kroger Co.) have imposed purchase limits of two cartons per customer.
Mariano’s posted signs at store entrances about the egg shortage, although Kroger has not implemented nationwide limits.
Karyn Rispoli, egg market manager at Expana (a price reporting service), explained that the latest bird flu wave has primarily hit retail-focused farms, first impacting grocery stores.
However, as carton eggs have now become more expensive than liquid eggs—the preferred option for many restaurants—the crisis is extending to the hospitality industry.
According to the USDA, some egg processors that usually break eggs for liquid products are now switching to packaging eggs in cartons. The agency expects farm-level egg prices to rise by 45% in 2025.
“Businesses are evaluating every option right now and looking for the most cost-effective ways to meet demand,” Rispoli said.
This has forced restaurants like Biscuit Belly to explore alternatives. With egg case prices hovering around $60, Coulter said they will substitute liquid eggs for some menu items to offset costs without raising prices for customers.
“We know consumers are fed up with high prices. We’re holding off and watching how things unfold,” he added.
