Is There an Egg Shortage and When Will It End?

If you've been struggling to find eggs at the store, it could be connected to the egg shortage that is spreading across the United States. The shortage began to affect grocery store supply chains in late November 2024 just before the start of the holiday season.

The egg shortage is primarily caused by an outbreak of avian influenza that is deadly to chickens and other types of birds and poultry. This outbreak has caused grocery stores to have difficulty sourcing eggs, leaving shoppers empty-handed. Notably, this shortage is concerning to those preparing for the holidays as eggs are a staple ingredient in many baked goods and other holiday dishes.

To learn more and find out how you can save your holiday recipes, we have all you need to know about the egg shortage. Read on for reasons behind the shortage, when it should end and what you can use as an egg alternative in the meantime.

Jump to Section

• Is There an Egg Shortage?
• Impact of the Egg Shortage on the Holiday Season
• Finding Alternatives During the Egg Shortage in 2024
• When Will the Egg Shortage End?

Is There an Egg Shortage?

Yes, there is currently a shortage of eggs across the United States. Egg shortages have been reported by consumers in Denver, Miami, New York City and parts of Chicago, among other locations. Chain stores like Trader Joe's, which primarily stock cage-free eggs, have been reported to have no eggs available at certain locations.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, egg production in the country is down over 2.6% compared to the previous year, adding to the supply chain issues. The holidays additionally bring about an increased demand for eggs, further exacerbating the current supply issues.

Adding to the situation, the dip in production has caused prices to skyrocket as the supply can no longer keep up with the demand. It's thought that the price of eggs will continue to climb steadily throughout the holiday season, adding more stress to holiday grocery bills that are already set to be significantly more expensive than last year.

Why Is There an Egg Shortage?

The main culprit for the current egg shortage is a severe outbreak of the avian flu. There have been multiple serious outbreaks over the past two years which has decimated the supply of laying hens. The first outbreak occurred in 2022 and led to the slaughter of over 11 million birds on commercial farms. This outbreak weakened egg production which was steadily recovering until this current outbreak in 2024. 

Avian flu is spread through droppings from wild birds and is caught by flocks of chickens when they come in contact with the contaminated droppings. Because the avian flu is highly contagious and prone to outbreaks, if one chicken tests positive for the sickness every chicken on the farm must be killed. This policy results in widespread mass killings of the hens responsible for producing the nation's eggs, often resulting in supply chain issues.

Another contributing factor to the egg shortage is the increase in cage-free egg farms. Cage-free eggs are laid by hens that have the freedom to roam in indoor barns instead of being separated in individual cages. While better for quality of life, these open areas make the spread of diseases, such as bird flu, much easier. As a result, cage-free egg farms are being hit the hardest in this current outbreak, resulting in a shortage of certain brands of eggs. 

A few states, including California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon, have laws requiring all eggs sold in the state to be cage-free. Therefore, the egg shortage is hitting these states particularly hard as grocery stores scramble to source eggs that comply with state laws. 

Impact of the Egg Shortage on the Holiday Season

The holidays at the end of the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, focus heavily on homemade food and festive baked goods. While enjoying traditional fare with friends and family is a staple in most holiday plans, the egg shortage may put a damper on the festivities. If you live in a state that is being hit by the egg shortage, it can be harder to find eggs to use in your holiday treats. 

Eggs are used in many famous holiday dishes, including pecan pie, pumpkin pie and gingerbread cookies. Eggs are also the central ingredient in the classic yule log and are irreplaceable in sweet and creamy eggnog. Bakeries, restaurants and local shops also use an increased supply of eggs during the holidays to account for an uptick in sales, meaning you may not be able to find your favorite premade holiday treats as stores are struggling to find eggs as well.

Another unfortunate side effect of the shortage of eggs is the increase in price. With all the gift-giving, party throwing and decorating, the holidays can get expensive fast. The last thing anyone on a tight budget needs is for the price of groceries to increase any more. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of eggs has risen steadily throughout 2024. 

At the beginning of the year, egg cost averaged $2.52 in January for a dozen eggs. Today those same dozen eggs would cost around $3.65. This sharp incline in cost is caused because eggs are considered to be an inelastic commodity. This means consumers continue to buy eggs when prices are high but they don’t stock up when prices are low. Because of this buying trend, even small fluctuations in egg production can result in a dramatic price increase.

Finding Alternatives During the Egg Shortage in 2024

The egg shortage of 2024 has many holiday shoppers looking for a reliable egg substitute. Luckily, many egg alternatives make cooking and baking without eggs a breeze.

The purpose of eggs in many dishes is to create a binding agent that helps the dish firm up and set in an appetizing way. Other recipes, such as cake recipes, rely on eggs to add rise.

While texture or results may vary, egg substitutes can often replace regular eggs successfully. For example, aquafaba is a great option for making meringue or silken tofu can be used as a protein-rich binding agent. 

Plant-Based Egg Substitutes

• • Aquafaba 
  • Bananas 
  • Flaxseed Eggs 
  • Non-Dairy Yogurt 
  • Just Egg 
  • Apple Sauce 
  • Silken Tofu
  • Chia Seeds 
  • Canned Pumpkin 
  • Cornstarch
  • Vinegar and Baking Soda 
  • Arrowroot Powder

Other Egg Substitutes

• • Ener-G Egg Replacer
  • Greek Yogurt

If your beloved family recipe just won’t be the same without real eggs, there are a few tips you can use to survive the egg shortage of 2024. Firstly, where you shop for your eggs can make a huge difference in their availability. 

Shop at large grocery store chains, such as Walmart or Costco, because they have access to more suppliers around the country and may be able to replace stock more quickly. Avoid smaller grocery stores and natural stores that only sell cage-free eggs because they are more likely to be dealing with supply issues from the egg shortage. 

Next, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time when grocery shopping for the holidays. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to buy eggs at your regular grocery store, so build time into your plans to visit multiple stores if needed. If you live in an area of the country that is having extreme shortages, it is wise to call the store ahead of time or try online grocery ordering to ensure your order of eggs is in stock. 

Lastly, try different versions of eggs that are still available in stores. If you usually buy organic, cage-free eggs, you can switch them out for regular eggs. Egg whites and pasteurized liquid eggs that come in a carton are also great options for those struggling with shortages in their area. Liquid eggs are a great alternative when baking and using pasteurized egg whites to make meringue is a huge time-saver and cuts down on food waste. 

When Will the Egg Shortage End?

As the egg industry continues to deal with this unfortunate situation, steps are being taken to prevent any worsening shortages. While the current outbreak of avian influenza has resulted in the death of over three million birds, there is no need to panic. According to experts, the amount of eggs in the supply chain is sufficient for most parts of the country. The only significant change in the availability of eggs is the climbing prices. 

While certain brands of eggs may be off the store shelves, there are still plenty of alternatives available for those looking to bake their favorite treats this holiday season. Outbreaks of avian flu are fairly routine in the poultry world which means there is no way to tell when the egg shortage will officially end. 

It is important to note that many sources have confirmed that this avian influenza outbreak is under control and poses no risk to the general populace. It is currently completely safe to purchase and consume eggs at your local grocery store without any apprehensions. 

Eggs play an integral part in holiday meals across the country. While it can be challenging to combat rising prices, limited availability and seasonal buying trends, there is no reason the egg shortage should negatively affect your holiday plans this year. Enjoy baking all your favorites and celebrate time with friends and family despite the egg shortage.

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