Photo: Colleen Michaels (Shutterstock)
You’ve heard of inflation—get ready for eggflation. Even more so than other grocery items, egg prices skyrocketed in 2022 and continue to soar in 2023. You’ve probably noticed these astronomical prices on grocery store shelves—or noticed no eggs on the shelves at all. Here’s what to know about the current state of this kitchen staple, and what you can do to make eggs more affordable right now.
Why eggs are so expensive right now
According to Money.com, the wholesale cost of a dozen eggs is about $3.30 now in the U.S. and more than $7 in some states. Of course, the actual price you pay in the grocery store is even higher than the wholesale cost. What’s behind this eggflation?
Soaring egg costs are due to both increased demand and pervasive avian flu outbreaks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Over 50 million birds have been infected with the virus as of January 2023, rendering them and their eggs unfit for human consumption. Combined with low supply is high demand these days, as the USDA explains the trend of many Americans opting for proteins like eggs and poultry over red meat in recent years.
Tips to save during eggflation
With prices likely not not dropping any time soon, here are some hacks to beat those steep prices.
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Go for bulk
Whenever possible, the easiest way to save on groceries is by buying in bulk. So, if you’re buying five dozens at a time, it’s important to plan how you’re going to make sure those eggs don’t go to waste. According to the USDA, whole raw eggs in the shell will last three to five weeks in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for four to five weeks beyond the pack date, and about three weeks beyond when you brought them home. Beyond that, you can freeze your eggs with any of these methods.
Choose store brand
Cage-free, free-range, and name brands are going to be more expensive than the most generic, store brand option on the shelves.
Get into egg alternatives
If you really want to beat egg prices, the easiest solution is to stop buying eggs. The true bakers among us have long known plenty of egg substitutes, like ground flax, a mashed banana, and even chickpea liquid. With a little forethought, you don’t have to give in completely to these egg-ceptional prices. You didn’t expect zero egg puns in this article, did you? Get real.
