Egg Crisis: Trader Joe’s Cracks Down with a One-Dozen Rule Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

Trader Joe’s shoppers, prepare to limit your egg purchases for the foreseeable future.

The popular grocery chain has imposed a nationwide policy restricting customers to one dozen eggs per visit due to ongoing supply issues. A spokesperson for Trader Joe’s, Nakia Rohde, explained in an email to Nexstar’s KOIN that the limits are designed to ensure more customers can access eggs when they shop.

“Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe’s stores across the country,” she confirmed.

As egg prices rise, the grocer’s website lists one dozen pasture-raised, large brown eggs for about $5. This surge in egg prices is primarily due to the bird flu outbreak that began in 2022. The virus leads to the culling of entire flocks to prevent further spread, creating significant supply shortages. Massive egg farms, often housing over 1 million chickens, are particularly vulnerable to disruptions from even a few infections.

Meanwhile, other businesses are adapting to these challenges. Restaurant chain Waffle House, for instance, introduced a 50-cent surcharge per egg, citing the impact of avian flu. According to recent data from the Labor Department, egg prices have surged nearly 40% since January 2024, and the Agriculture Department predicts another 20% increase this year.