Introduction
Eggs are in the spotlight for consumers, after becoming the most recent inside joke in the food chain in the past few weeks, as prices increase here in the United States. The spike has affected both grocery shoppers and restaurant-goers. A high-profile case is Waffle House, a breakfast chain, which has introduced surcharges of 50 cents for each egg as it faces surging costs. Egg prices have risen around the country, but why are egg prices becoming expensive? Here’s a closer look at some of the factors I weighed behind the egg price surge, and what they spell for consumers and businesses.
What Is Behind Egg Prices, Anyway?
Egg prices have once shot up. In December 2024, the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs was $4.15, compared with $2.51 in December 2023. The egg prices are expected to rise an additional 20 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Why Are Egg Prices Continuing to Rise?
Estimated Price Increases for Common Items in 2025
| Item | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 (Estimated) | % Increase (2019-2025) | % Increase (2024-2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOZEN EGGS | $1.41 | $3.65 | $4.38 | 210% | 20% |
| FROZEN ORANGE JUICE | $2.26 | $4.31 | $4.90 | 117% | 14% |
| SUGAR | $0.59 | $1.00 | $1.18 | 100% | 18% |
| COFFEE | $4.20 | $6.87 | $7.58 | 81% | 10% |
| SOFT DRINKS (12 PACK) | $0.34 | $0.55 | $0.61 | 79% | 11% |
| GROUND BEEF | $3.81 | $5.63 | $6.45 | 69% | 15% |
| RICE | $0.72 | $1.06 | $1.18 | 64% | 11% |
| STEAK | $5.79 | $8.16 | $9.02 | 56% | 10.5% |
| UTILITY GAS | $1.06 | $1.49 | $1.62 | 53% | 8.5% |
| WHITE BREAD | $1.36 | $1.92 | $2.14 | 57% | 11.5% |
| WHEAT BREAD | $1.94 | $2.72 | $3.00 | 55% | 10.3% |
| ROUND ROAST | $5.21 | $7.14 | $8.01 | 54% | 12% |
| CHICKEN BREAST | $2.94 | $4.01 | $4.62 | 57% | 15% |
| COOKIES | $3.60 | $4.92 | $5.45 | 51% | 10.7% |
| YOGURT (8 OUNCES) | $1.14 | $1.51 | $1.67 | 47% | 10.6% |
| BONELESS HAM | $4.25 | $5.63 | $6.29 | 48% | 11.7% |
| ELECTRICITY (KW HOUR) | $0.13 | $0.18 | $0.20 | 54% | 11.1% |
| FLOUR | $0.42 | $0.55 | $0.61 | 45% | 10.9% |
| ICE CREAM (HALF GALLON) | $4.94 | $6.45 | $7.10 | 44% | 10.1% |
| MILK (HALF GALLON) | $3.19 | $4.14 | $4.75 | 49% | 14.7% |
| PORK CHOPS | $3.40 | $4.43 | $4.98 | 46% | 12.4% |
| BUTTER | $3.71 | $4.79 | $5.36 | 44% | 11.9% |
| GRAPEFRUIT | $1.32 | $1.71 | $1.92 | 45% | 12.3% |
| BEEF FOR STEW | $5.79 | $7.43 | $8.42 | 45% | 13.3% |
| MALT BEVERAGES | $1.42 | $1.81 | $2.00 | 41% | 10.5% |
The main driver of egg prices soaring is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly called bird flu. The virus has already led to the culling of millions of hens as a measure to control the infection since 2022, contributing to a sharp decline in egg production. So a decline in supply, and stable demand, has inevitably pushed prices higher.
The Waffle House Approach: The Egg Surcharge
On February 3, 2025, Waffle House, facing these challenges, also announced it would place a 50-cent surcharge on each egg on its menu. “The supply of eggs remains severely limited due to the ongoing egg shortage due to HPAI (Bird Flu), leading to a significant increase in egg prices,” the company said. Consumers are [and] restaurants are having to make hard choices.’” The company plans to monitor egg prices, too, and adjust or eliminate the surcharge if it can.
Impact on Grocery Shoppers and the Food System
Egg prices surging and surcharges coming have broader implications:
- Egg prices rise: Consumer Behavior — Consumers might buy fewer eggs or seek substitutes.
- Fried restaurant: Menu prices or surcharges are typical at restaurants such as Waffle House heavily reliant on eggs, as operating costs are increased.
- Supply Chain Strain: With the poultry pipeline struggling to cope with and contain the bird flu outbreak, there has been pressure on the supply chain and trickledown effects on availability and pricing.
- Egg Prices—What To Expect Going Forward
Egg prices could remain elevated in the near term, but there’s a reason to be optimistic about prices stabilizing the deeper we go into 2024, according to the current outlook. Steps to control the bird flu outbreak and replenish poultry are underway. But there were other factors, such as the persistence of the virus and the emergence of new outbreaks, that could push price normalization much further or faster in time. These advances will require both consumer and business adaptation.
Conclusion
The increase in egg prices — driven primarily by a bird flu outbreak — has made its presence felt both in consumer prices and in the profits of companies. Waffle House’s new 50-cent hassle per egg reflects the larger picture of difficulties in the food industry. Being informed—both as a consumer and a business owner—is essential, as is the ability to pivot quickly in these days of economic adjustment.
