Why Are Eggs so Expensive Now?
You’ve heard of inflation – get ready to egg. Egg prices rose even more than other products in 2022 and continue to rise in 2023. You’ve probably noticed those astronomical prices on grocery store shelves, or you haven’t noticed eggs on the shelves at all. Here’s what you need to know about the current state of this staple in the kitchen and what you can do to make eggs more affordable right now.
Why are eggs so expensive now?
According to Money.com , the wholesale cost of a dozen eggs is now around $3.30 in the US and over $7 in some states. Of course, the actual price you pay at the grocery store is even higher than the wholesale cost. What is behind this egg?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the increase in egg prices is due to both increased demand and widespread outbreaks of bird flu. As of January 2023, more than 50 million birds have been infected with the virus, rendering them and their eggs unfit for human consumption. Combined with low supply, there is high demand these days as the USDA explains the trend of many Americans in recent years to prioritize proteins like eggs and poultry over red meat.
Saving Tips During Laying
Since prices probably won’t drop anytime soon, here are some hacks to beat those high prices.
Go to wholesale
When possible, the easiest way to save on groceries is to buy them in bulk. So, if you’re buying five dozen at a time, it’s important to plan how you’re going to make sure those eggs don’t go to waste. Whole, raw, in-shell eggs keep in the refrigerator for three to five weeks, according to the USDA. They will keep for four to five weeks after the packing date and about three weeks after you bring them home. Alternatively, you can freeze eggs in any of these ways .
Select store brand
Cage-free, free-range, and big-name brands will cost more than the most generic in-store brand options on the shelves.
Go for an alternative to eggs
If you really want to beat egg prices, the easiest solution is to stop buying eggs. The real bakers among us have long known a variety of egg substitutes , such as ground flax, mashed bananas, and even liquid chickpeas . With a little forethought, you don’t have to completely settle for these enticing prices. You didn’t expect this article to have a zero-egg pun, did you? Get real.