[Eggs. Photo Credit to Pixabay]

The United States has seen a recent shortage of eggs over the last three months for many variables and customers are actively seeking ways to work around it. 

Consumer costs have increased dramatically in early January by over 28%, ranging from $6.50 up to $8.85 per dozen. 

In states such as California, prices have inflated even higher due to regulations and seasonal demand. 

The scarcity of eggs at local grocery stores has prompted consumers to explore cheaper and more reliable alternatives. 

Data from just a year ago in January 2024 demonstrates the impact of this shortage through declining egg sales.

The market has dropped more than 15% as customers adapt their shopping habits to maintain a steady diet at home. 

Several key factors have led to this shortage, including recurring outbreaks of Avian flu (Bird Flu).

While this virus can be infectious to humans, it primarily affects animals and birds such as chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks. 

Although public health risks remain very low, the country has been seeing irregular outbreaks of the virus in both poultry and dairy cattle. 

The Centers for Disease Control reports show that California’s egg supply has been most affected by the Avian Flu, with the majority of exposure coming from dairy cattle and poultry flocks. 

This widespread exposure is attributed to the state’s extensive commercial agriculture practices, while there are also unknown sources of the flu across numerous other states.

An increase in demand has also played a role in the ongoing egg shortage, particularly in the aftermath of the holiday season.

From November to January, households across the country stock up on eggs as a staple ingredient for holiday meals.

The noticeable scarcity of eggs fueled consumer panic, leading customers to purchase an unnecessary amount of eggs during each grocery store visit.

Despite the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projecting that egg production in the U.S. would only decrease by 1% in 2025, panic buying has worsened the situation as consumers purchase more than double their usual quantities. 

Experts predict that the Avian Flu will continue spreading through the early months of 2025, as bird migration patterns facilitate the increase in cases. 

However, there is cause for optimism.

The USDA reports that many eggs will be hatched early 2025, giving hope to regaining high production.

In the meantime, people are discovering effective substitutions for eggs in their cooking.

Dietitian Roberta Anding of Baylor College Medicine has provided tips on how to successfully replace eggs with sources containing equivalent protein.

A single egg has about seven grams of protein, similar to the amount in an ounce of cheese or a one-ounce glass of milk. 

For breakfast dishes such as burritos or tacos, customers may use pinto or black beans as their egg substitute.

For baking, where eggs serve as a binding agent and provide moisture, Anding suggests using tofu or banana, with one banana or one to two ounces of tofu replacing one egg.

While many consumers have adapted to the shortage by finding new ways to enjoy their meals through replacements, pregnant women continue to consume eggs as they are vital to brain development. 

Though the countrywide egg shortage has been miserable for many, experts anticipate recovery in the near future, and the crisis has demonstrated consumers’ ability to adapt to disruptions in the food supply chain.