Here's what a dozen eggs cost at various Chicago stores as "egg-flation" continues impacting prices
Eggs are one of the most closely-watched items at grocery stores, with prices for a dozen nearing or topping $8 in some locations.
The cause of the recent "egg-flation" is the rise in bird flu cases in the U.S., which has been impacting farms and wiping out flocks. The flu, or H5N1, has been found in hundreds of millions of birds since January 2022.
The demand for eggs is so high that stores are limiting customers to only two dozen per purchase. Some stores have already sold out of their supply and are awaiting on their restock. Restaurants, too, have begun passing along the price for the egg shortage.
In 2019, consumers could pick up a dozen eggs for around $1.54, but by last year, the price had soared to $4.15 — a 170% increase. It has only gone up since then.
"We continue to have outbreaks at egg farms, wipes out all the egg-laying hens," said David Anderson, Texas A&M University Professor of Agricultural Economics.
Kakadoodle Farms in Matteson lost thousands of chickens late last month, leaving shelves bare and egg buyers with barely
a precedent for surge pricing.
The issue is affecting shoppers not just in Chicago but across many other states. Earlier this month, about 100,000 eggs — worth an estimated $40,000 — were stolen from a farm in Pennsylvania.
Supplies may continue to be contained depending on how long the outbreak lasts. Experts say it could be months before prices change.
In the meantime, the best advice for consumers is to compare prices to find the more affordable option.
Some turn to alternative methods amid the egg shortage
If necessity is the mother of invention, the invention of the moment may belong to Rent the Chicken.
The Pennsylvania-based program ships to Chicago. For $1500, you get three almost ready-to-lay hens, along with the coop, bedding, a food dish, and instructions on how to care for your new friends.
It takes work, but if you do it right, it will yield between eight and 14 eggs a week. It could be a crack at re-shaping an egg shortage that has no end in sight.
Egg prices across the Chicago area
After checking 15 stores around Chicagoland, it was found that the priciest spots for a dozen eggs were Cermak Fresh in Aurora, at $8.99, and 7-Eleven on South Dearborn in Chicago, at a dime less.
The cheapest?
Food4Less in Dolton selling a dozen medium eggs for $2.79. The Whole Foods in Park Ridge selling for $3.99, but said they were sold out as of Monday.
Some Aldi and Mariano stores have put a limit on how many eggs customers can buy at one time, as has Trader Joe's.
Sams Club (Joliet)
- 18-count brown: $5.92
- 2 dozen white: $8.24
Cermak Fresh (Aurora; not available online)
- Dozen medium: $8.99
- Dozen large: $12.99
Amazon Fresh (Bensenville/DuPage County)
- Dozen eggs large: $5.89 (currently sold out)
- 18-count large eggs: $8.29 (available)
Go Grocer (Lakeview)
- Half dozen: $3.99 (only one pack was left at last check Monday morning)
Save-A-Lot (Midlothian)
- Dozen: $5.00
Woodman's Food Market (Buffalo Grove)
- Dozen: $5.69
Meijer (Rolling Meadows)
- Dozen large: $4.99
- 18-count large: $7.19
Petes Fresh Market (Lemont)
- Dozen: $6.00
- 2 Dozen: $21.94
Food4Less (Dolton)
- Dozen medium: $2.79
- Dozen large: $2.99
- 18-count large: $4.39
Costco (South Loop)
- 18-count: $6.39
- Sold out Monday, expecting two pallets of eggs Tuesday
Aldi (Mundelein)
- Dozen eggs: $6.05
Target (State Street)
- Dozen large: $5.79
- 18-count: $8.49
Jewel (Niles)
- Dozen large $7.99
- 18-count large: $11.99
Walmart (Rolling Meadows)
- Half-dozen: $3.14
- Dozen large $5.46
- Dozen extra large: $6.12
Tony's Fresh Market (Waukegan)
- Dozen jumbo: $7.99
Whole Foods (Park Ridge)
- Dozen large: $3.99
Trader Joe's (Lincoln Park)
- Dozen large: $4.99
Marianos (Skokie)
- Dozen eggs: $7.99
- 18-count: $11.99
Dollar General (Chicago)
- Dozen large: $6.50
7-Eleven (Chicago)
- Dozen: $8.89
Walgreens (Chicago)
- Dozen: $4.99
