Posted on 02/04/2025 9:43:27 PM PST by Red Badger
Restaurant operators are left scrambling as a new bird flu pandemic has decreased egg supplies
Waffle House is not the only restaurant considering menu changes due to egg inflation.
Waffle House is adding a temporary surcharge to combat the continuing egg shortage driven by the so-called bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPIA).
As the latest outbreak of bird flu continues to spread nationally — causing more than 20 million deaths of egg-laying chickens last quarter, according to the USDA — egg prices have skyrocketed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, egg prices rose 36.8% in 2024, which is astronomical compared to the average 2.9% inflation across all consumer categories. In many states, eggs are going for more than $8 a dozen, like in Jersey City, where an NRN reporter spotted a dozen large eggs for $8.69 at a Stop & Shop.
Waffle House has stated that in response to this inflation, “restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions” and that the Norcross, Ga.-based family-dining chain has implemented a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge to all menus.
The company decided to implement a surcharge rather than increase prices across the menu and clarified that the company will continue to use “grade A large eggs” in its menu items, despite the shortage, “as long as they are available.”
“While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived, we cannot predict how long this shortage will last,” Waffle House said in a statement. “We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.”
Waffle House is not the only restaurant that is taking action to combat rising egg prices. According to Bloomberg, Louisville, Ky.-based Biscuit Belly has had to swap the types of eggs the company buys from medium white to large brown eggs, the latter of which still cost about 21% less than the preferred brand. But the savings are not enough to offset the overall inflation of egg prices from a year ago, and the breakfast brand is planning to make the switch to liquid eggs for omelets and scrambled eggs.
San Francisco bakery, Breadbelly, altered its menu to deal with the rising cost of eggs, according to Eater. The independent bakery has already removed egg coffee from its menu (which uses egg yolks as a whipped topping) and is considering taking the popular egg salad bun off the menu temporarily.
Famous Toastery, a 24-unit Charlotte, N.C.-based brunch chain, has been staying in close contact with suppliers and franchisees to keep tabs on the egg inflation situation.
“We are extremely sensitive to not force a price increase onto our loyal guests, but what is happening in the egg market is not a shock to anyone that visits a grocery store,” Rob Sterioti, vice president of operations at Famous Toastery, said. “Nothing is off the table, but a snap decision to increase prices is not where we are looking at this time.”
I am still seeing the same prices online from the places I buy from.
A 15 percent increase over the past several months but no real increase for weeks now.
And nothing near hundreds of percent.
YES..from Donald Trump’s term..when they were 11 cents to now 44 cents!!
But all these headlines like it’s something new...
I’ve not seen the change in recent months, besides, like I said, about 10 to 15 percent.
I guess I should brace for it.
Damn, I like eggs.
Highest I’ve seen here is $5 a dozen.
Glad I’ve got chickens...................
I smell Fauci.
bird flu
millions of chickens killed
nice try
$5 a dozen is cheapest price here for pasture-raised eggs.
That’s what I eat and buy them at Trader Joe’s. Have to get there early in the day before they run out.
Today, Kroger didn’t have a single egg and no chicken either. That’s truly scary. I did pick up my fave organic boneless skinless chicken thighs at Trader. They have a store in my ‘hood, so can just walk over whenever I need something.
World’s Top Egg Exporters
Netherlands
At the top of the whole egg export list is Netherlands. This country exports $786,193,000 worth of eggs annually. In fact, about 66% of the eggs produced in the country are exported. Manufacturers are experts in production, grading, and packing. The majority of its egg exports go to Germany.
United States
Number 2 on this list is the US. Egg exports from the US equal around $515,351,000. The top 3 egg producing states within the country are Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana. The largest importers of US eggs are Mexico, Hong Kong, Trinidad and Tobago, and Canada. These countries have been increasing their egg imports over the last few years.
Poland
After the US, Poland makes the list in the 3rd place. This country exports $278,352,000 in eggs every year. Poland has increased poultry production over the last five years, and that increased focus has overflown to egg production as well. Its major importers are European Union members and demands for eggs have been on the rise here.
Turkey
Turkey is number 4 with $273,457,000 in shell egg exports. This country has intentionally worked to improve its egg industry and has made great in production infrastructure since the 1970’s. It has a unique geographic advantage which makes it a fast exporter to its major market partners. Iraq and Syria are its main importers while EU members follow closely behind.
Germany
In 5th place, Germany exports $262,129,000 worth of eggs yearly. As seen in the case of other European countries, its top importers are all EU members. Nearly 50% of German egg exports go to the Netherlands.
Other Exporters
Other top shell egg exporters are mainly in Europe w/ 2 more Asian countries on the list.
Spain ($201,233,000), France ($177,411,000), China ($174,262,000), Belgium ($172,516,000), United Kingdom ($134,354,000), and Malaysia ($125,650,000). Other contenders for top egg exporters come in under the $100 million mark and are: Brazil ($73,284,000), Portugal ($54,489,000), Hungary ($52,527,000), and India ($49,859,0000).
A BONELESS CHICKEN CANNOT WALK—:)
I paid $6.19 yesterday at Winn Dixie in central Ala for Grade A large.
Waffle House sells 2% of the eggs in U.S. I used to know how many a day, but I’m
forgetful these days...lol I tried to look it up but just found the 2% number. I worked a part time job there a few years ago.
My local Fresh Market in NC had them at $3.99 for their brand...they were completely out last week and I had feared a big price spike. Thankfully that didn’t happen.
Walmart, Food Lion all in the $4.50 range...if they have them.
Eggland’s Best all $5.50’s and up.
We need to quit killing whole flocks when 1 chicken sneezes...
I’ll pay $5 an egg if means the continuation of all that’s being done by Trump now. Plus, I don’t think it will stay that way.
FWIW, we're the only country that mitigates bird flu this way. Other countries take as different approach. We're also the only country with skyrocketing egg prices at the moment.
I used to defer to the "science" of the people in charge but these days, I'm not so sure anymore.
Sounds like the old story that there is really only one fruitcake in the world, and it is passed from one recipient to another year after year.
Not sure in NC where you are, but I paid just under $7 for a dozen jumbos last week at Food Lion [Rocky Mount area]. Was in there 2 days ago, they still had a sign up on the door where eggs are. Forget what it says? Something to do with high price and less product right now. And it looked like the prices were still the same as last week.
Triad area. Yes, jumbos were $6 at Walmart but not even available this week. All they had left were the Egglands xl’s. I mean ALL they had left...about a dozen dozens.
Fresh Market’s own brand of cage free large were $3.99 same as they had been. Their “special” eggs...free range, pampered chicken eggs were not to be found. The $6-$9 ones.
Food Lion had that sign but when I was in there were plenty there...I did not check prices.
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