Recent egg shortages caused by the bird flu have led major retailers to implement purchase restrictions. Trader Joe’s has announced that due to ongoing supply issues, they are limiting customers to buying one dozen eggs per day across all their approximately 600 US locations. This measure aims to ensure fair distribution of available eggs to all customers who need them.

Other major grocery chains have also started implementing similar restrictions. While some stores haven’t set national limits, individual grocer locations are adapting their policies based on local availability, with some restricting customers to purchasing two dozen eggs per visit. These restrictions reflect the broader challenges facing the egg industry nationwide.

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Costco and Trader Joe’s are now limiting the number of eggs customers can buy because of the shortage caused by the bird flu. Egg shortages, restrictions and high prices have affected other supermarkets across the U.S. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows more than 20 million egg-laying chickens in the country died last quarter because of bird flu.

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These purchasing limits come in response to significant increases in egg prices and demand, primarily driven by widespread losses in egg-laying chicken populations. The culprit is a new strain of avian influenza (H5N1) first identified in 2022, which has severely impacted poultry populations across the country. This particular strain has proven to be especially challenging to contain, affecting both commercial and small-scale farming operations.

According to the CDC, the impact of this bird flu outbreak has been staggering, affecting more than 159 million birds since 2022. This includes wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry operations, and backyard flocks, leading to substantial disruptions in the nation’s egg supply chain and contributing to rising prices. The widespread nature of this outbreak has made it particularly difficult for the industry to recover quickly.

The situation has created a ripple effect throughout the food industry, affecting not only direct egg sales but also businesses that rely heavily on eggs as ingredients, such as bakeries and restaurants. Industry experts are closely monitoring the situation, but recovery timelines remain uncertain as efforts continue to contain the spread of the virus.