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© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Background
- Eggs today have become much more expensive and even harder to find than normal. In fact, the national average cost for a dozen eggs jumped a whopping 63% over the past year alone, according to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Why are eggs so expensive?
- This increase in price isn't simply a matter of supply and demand, there are several reasons that will be discussed in the following slides.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Avian Flu epidemic
- The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is at the heart of it all. Nearly 110 million birds, including those egg-laying hens we depend on, have been impacted since January 2022. This is the worst outbreak of bird flu in US history.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
HPAI
- While HPAI has been detected in 48 states, it's been especially prevalent in egg-producing regions such as Utah, Washington, and Oregon.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Rising production costs
- The prices of feed, fuel, labor, and more are rising, further straining the production of eggs in the US.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Increased seasonal demand
- A report by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service said that egg consumption typically rises during holidays, especially in November and December when baking demand is highest.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Seasonal surge
- The aforementioned seasonal surge, combined with the supply issues caused by avian flu, has further tightened the availability of eggs.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Policy changes
- Farms in California and Massachusetts are transitioning to meet newer state regulations requiring cage-free egg production. As the farms are trying to change, production challenges and bottlenecks have occurred.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Rising demand for eggs
- According to the United Egg Producers, over the past two decades "per capita, egg consumption has grown by approximately 4.8% since 2000."
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Impact
- The egg shortage has been felt all over - including in grocery stores, homes, and farms across the country. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the national price for a dozen eggs was US$3.37 in October 2024 compared to $2.07 the year before.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Limiting supply
- According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), there are even grocery stores that have had to limit the number of eggs each customer can purchase.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Food systems
- Reports from the USDA and other sources reveal that heavy dependence on large-scale operations leaves the food supply chain highly vulnerable to disruptions, such as disease outbreaks.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Other options
- There are some Americans who are exploring chicken farming from their backyards. This option gives them more control over their food supply.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
The future of egg prices
- Forecasts by the USDA for 2025 are trending downwards and they're saying that "recovery from this year's supply losses could take longer than expected."
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Alternatives
- With this egg shortage, it's important to think about what else you could use. In the next 13 slides, you'll find creative alternatives to eggs.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Applesauce
- If you add 1/4 cup (about 65 g) of unsweetened applesauce to a recipe, it can replace an egg most of the time. It adds moisture without affecting the flavor.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Mashed banana
- To replace an egg, try using half of a large mashed banana. It can add density and moisture but may also leave a slight banana flavor.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Ground flaxseeds or chia seeds
- Mix one tbsp (7 g) of ground seeds with three tbsp (45 g) of water to replace one egg. It works well in dense baked goods like muffins and cookies.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Commercial egg replacer
- This commercial egg replacer is made from starches and leavening agents, so it is suitable for all baked goods and will not alter the flavor.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Silken tofu
- Substitute 1/4 cup (about 60 g) of puréed silken tofu per egg for dense, moist results in brownies or other baked goods.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Vinegar and baking soda
- Combine one tsp (7 g) of baking soda with one tbsp (15 g) of vinegar to mimic the leavening effect of eggs in cakes and quick breads.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Yogurt or buttermilk
- It's best to use plain yogurt to avoid messing with the flavor of your recipe. You can use 1/4 cup (60 g) of yogurt or buttermilk for each egg that needs replacing.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Arrowroot starch
- This South American tuber plant resembles corn starch once it's extracted and sold as a powder. You can replace one egg with two tbsp (about 18 g) of arrowroot powder and three tbsp (45 g) of water.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Aquafaba
- Aquafaba is the leftover liquid from cooking beans or legumes. It can also be found in canned chickpeas or beans. You can use three tbsp (45 g) of aquafaba to replace one egg.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Nut butter
- Nut butter is a great alternative to eggs, but be careful as some people have nut allergies. Substitute three tbsp of creamy nut butter per egg, adding flavor to cookies, brownies, or pancakes.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Carbonated water
- A 1/4 cup of carbonated water per egg acts as a leavening agent, perfect for light cakes and quick breads.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Agar-agar or gelatin
- Gelatin can be great for substituting eggs but it is an animal protein derived from the collagen of pigs and cows. So, if you don't eat meat, choose agar-agar, which is obtained from seaweed to algae. For gelatin dissolve one tbsp (about 9 g) of powder in 2 tbsp (30 g) water (cold, then boiling).
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Soy lecithin
- Soy lecithin is a soybean byproduct and has binding properties similar to eggs. Add one tbsp (14 g) of soy lecithin powder to replace one egg. Sources: (Healthline) (CNN Business) See also: Unexpected shortages throughout history
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Background
- Eggs today have become much more expensive and even harder to find than normal. In fact, the national average cost for a dozen eggs jumped a whopping 63% over the past year alone, according to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Why are eggs so expensive?
- This increase in price isn't simply a matter of supply and demand, there are several reasons that will be discussed in the following slides.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Avian Flu epidemic
- The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is at the heart of it all. Nearly 110 million birds, including those egg-laying hens we depend on, have been impacted since January 2022. This is the worst outbreak of bird flu in US history.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
HPAI
- While HPAI has been detected in 48 states, it's been especially prevalent in egg-producing regions such as Utah, Washington, and Oregon.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Rising production costs
- The prices of feed, fuel, labor, and more are rising, further straining the production of eggs in the US.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Increased seasonal demand
- A report by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service said that egg consumption typically rises during holidays, especially in November and December when baking demand is highest.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Seasonal surge
- The aforementioned seasonal surge, combined with the supply issues caused by avian flu, has further tightened the availability of eggs.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Policy changes
- Farms in California and Massachusetts are transitioning to meet newer state regulations requiring cage-free egg production. As the farms are trying to change, production challenges and bottlenecks have occurred.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Rising demand for eggs
- According to the United Egg Producers, over the past two decades "per capita, egg consumption has grown by approximately 4.8% since 2000."
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Impact
- The egg shortage has been felt all over - including in grocery stores, homes, and farms across the country. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the national price for a dozen eggs was US$3.37 in October 2024 compared to $2.07 the year before.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Limiting supply
- According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), there are even grocery stores that have had to limit the number of eggs each customer can purchase.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Food systems
- Reports from the USDA and other sources reveal that heavy dependence on large-scale operations leaves the food supply chain highly vulnerable to disruptions, such as disease outbreaks.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Other options
- There are some Americans who are exploring chicken farming from their backyards. This option gives them more control over their food supply.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
The future of egg prices
- Forecasts by the USDA for 2025 are trending downwards and they're saying that "recovery from this year's supply losses could take longer than expected."
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Alternatives
- With this egg shortage, it's important to think about what else you could use. In the next 13 slides, you'll find creative alternatives to eggs.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Applesauce
- If you add 1/4 cup (about 65 g) of unsweetened applesauce to a recipe, it can replace an egg most of the time. It adds moisture without affecting the flavor.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Mashed banana
- To replace an egg, try using half of a large mashed banana. It can add density and moisture but may also leave a slight banana flavor.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Ground flaxseeds or chia seeds
- Mix one tbsp (7 g) of ground seeds with three tbsp (45 g) of water to replace one egg. It works well in dense baked goods like muffins and cookies.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Commercial egg replacer
- This commercial egg replacer is made from starches and leavening agents, so it is suitable for all baked goods and will not alter the flavor.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Silken tofu
- Substitute 1/4 cup (about 60 g) of puréed silken tofu per egg for dense, moist results in brownies or other baked goods.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Vinegar and baking soda
- Combine one tsp (7 g) of baking soda with one tbsp (15 g) of vinegar to mimic the leavening effect of eggs in cakes and quick breads.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Yogurt or buttermilk
- It's best to use plain yogurt to avoid messing with the flavor of your recipe. You can use 1/4 cup (60 g) of yogurt or buttermilk for each egg that needs replacing.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Arrowroot starch
- This South American tuber plant resembles corn starch once it's extracted and sold as a powder. You can replace one egg with two tbsp (about 18 g) of arrowroot powder and three tbsp (45 g) of water.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Aquafaba
- Aquafaba is the leftover liquid from cooking beans or legumes. It can also be found in canned chickpeas or beans. You can use three tbsp (45 g) of aquafaba to replace one egg.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Nut butter
- Nut butter is a great alternative to eggs, but be careful as some people have nut allergies. Substitute three tbsp of creamy nut butter per egg, adding flavor to cookies, brownies, or pancakes.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
Carbonated water
- A 1/4 cup of carbonated water per egg acts as a leavening agent, perfect for light cakes and quick breads.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Agar-agar or gelatin
- Gelatin can be great for substituting eggs but it is an animal protein derived from the collagen of pigs and cows. So, if you don't eat meat, choose agar-agar, which is obtained from seaweed to algae. For gelatin dissolve one tbsp (about 9 g) of powder in 2 tbsp (30 g) water (cold, then boiling).
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
Soy lecithin
- Soy lecithin is a soybean byproduct and has binding properties similar to eggs. Add one tbsp (14 g) of soy lecithin powder to replace one egg. Sources: (Healthline) (CNN Business) See also: Unexpected shortages throughout history
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
What you need to know about the egg shortage in America
How you can adapt starting today
© Getty Images
The egg shortage in the US is leaving many shoppers upset, frustrated, and confused. Why is there an egg shortage? And what can be done about it? If you feel similarly, then you're in the right place. This gallery will break down the reasons and provide you with 13 clever egg alternatives. Whether you need to cook breakfast or bake, eggs are a staple of life in the US.
Curious about why eggs aren't available in some places in the US? Click through now to find out.
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