Breakfast lovers and restaurants across America are feeling the strain of soaring egg prices and bare grocery shelves. Whether it be eating an expensive breakfast at Denny’s or making an omelet at home, buying a dozen eggs has recently come at an alarming cost.
According to the Orange County Register, in California, the average price for a dozen eggs in Jan. 2025 is $8.97, a 48.3 percent increase from $6.05 in 2022. The cause stems from significant outbreaks of avian influenza which have decimated bird flocks. The outbreak began in early Feb. 2022 and still persists, with bird populations dwindling. The virus mostly spreads from bird-to-bird contact, making it hard to detect. As a result, the egg supply chain was harmed, with demand overwhelming supply. Grocery stores are thus passing down costs to the customer.
Increased feeding costs, labor shortages and increased transportation expenses have also made it challenging for farmers to produce and distribute eggs. With the addition of Proposition 12—the law which requires egg farmers to provide large, spacious areas for hens—removes the traditional method of small, cage-like enclosures resulting in additional costs. Thus, many families and students are unable to find eggs when they visit their local grocery store.
“I went to Costco, and there was a very long line to get eggs. It wasn’t too bad, but getting in line just for eggs is crazy. It’s inconvenient time-wise and in the stores I went to, we’re usually limited in buying only certain amounts,” senior Jerry Lu said.
As these factors magnify down the supply chain, an increasing number of students at Walnut will suffer nutritional consequences. The rich content of protein and vitamins that eggs provide are important for brain function and a healthy diet. As eggs become more expensive, less people are able to access the vital nutrition that eggs provide. For a nutritionally similar alternative to eggs, consider eating tofu or almonds.
“I always use eggs when I bake. Eggs give a lot of nutrients, so I think it’s important to use them,” sophomore Kaylani Arp said. “[The rising price of eggs] makes it more difficult for me and my family to cook because we have to [conserve] the amount of eggs that we buy.”
