Currently, there is a worldwide egg shortage which is causing egg prices to be gouged. The egg shortage is due to an outbreak of avian influenza, better known as bird flu. This bird flu, which is both contagious and fatal, has impacted more than 57 million birds. Fortunately, humans are not likely to catch this sickness from eating poultry or eggs due to the rapid onset of symptoms in birds, and the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, safeguards–such as testing birds and other Federal inspection programs.   

  As a result of the outbreak, millions of chickens have been killed in order to limit the further spread of the flu. Therefore causing less eggs to be produced, and farmers having to increase their costs to compensate themselves correctly, in conjunction with the already present factors of inflation, fuel, feed, labor, and packaging. About 43 of the 57 million chickens killed were egg-laying chickens. 

  This uncontrollable sickness and high inflation has put consumers in a financially painful position. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic data, large Grade A eggs cost, on average, $4.25 for a dozen in December of 2022. This is a 138 percent increase from the average price of $1.79 in 2021. Furthemore, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, of which the data was last updated Jan. 12, 2023, eggs are at 18.4 percent more expensive than fuel oil notable year-over-year price changes. 

  Aliso Niguel has also been affected by the shortage. Currently Costco, located on Heather Ridge, has a sign up by the eggs that states, “Due to shortage on eggs there is a limit of 2 per Member. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Kirkland Signature Cage Free Extra Large USDA Grade AA 24 count eggs cost $6.49 and Kirkland Signature Cage Free Large USDA Grade AA five dozen count eggs cost $15.99. 

Ralphs, located in Aliso Viejo Town Center, also has a similar sign up that reads, “Due to the Avian Bird Flu and to support all customers, we are limiting egg cartons to 2 EACH PER CUSTOMER. Thank you for your understanding, and we apologize for the inconvenience”. 

Kroger Cage Free Large Grade AA 12 count eggs cost $5.99. Kroger Larger Brown Grade AA 12 count eggs cost $6.49. Kroger Cage Free Large White Eggs Grade AA 18 count cost $8.89. Organic Large Brown Grade AA 18 count Eggs cost $8.99.

  The Stater Bros located on La Paz Road . has a larger variety of eggs. They sell their Stater Bros. 12 count cage free large eggs grade AA at $5.99, Stater Bros. 12 count cage free large brown eggs grade AA at $5.99, and Stater Bros. 12 count cage free jumbo eggs grade A at $6.99. They also sell Stater Bros. 18 count cage free large eggs grade AA at $8.89, Stater Bros. 12 count cage free extra large eggs grade AA at $6.79, and Stater Bros. 5 dozen count cage free large eggs cost $28.99. 

  Pavilions, located in Laguna Niguel, sells a few different types of eggs all under the brand “Lucerne”.  The Lucerne Cage Free extra large 12 count Grade AA Eggs cost $6.99. The Lucerne Cage Free large 12 count Grade AA Eggs cost $5.99. Lastly, the Lucerne Cage Free jumbo 12 count Grade A Eggs cost $7.99. 

  Trader Joe’s, however, has been able to keep their eggs 50 percent cheaper than other grocery stores in the United States. The cheapest eggs found at Trader Joe’s cost $2.99.