Whether you eat eggs on rare occasions or buy them multiple times a week, you’ve likely seen some record-high prices. The national average for a dozen eggs was $4.95 at the end of January, and the situation has gotten so dire that Waffle House and Denny’s have begun adding a surcharge for every egg they sell.
Why are egg prices so high? One reason is a major bird flu outbreak, which has led to millions of hens being culled. But while the bird flu has contributed to a severe egg shortage, the severity of its impact is now being questioned: The US Justice Department has begun to investigate whether egg producers are purposely limiting supplies, in order to drive costs up.Â
There’s no doubt that egg prices have surged —Â more than doubling in some areas over the past six months. And the impact goes beyond higher costs; empty shelves are becoming more common, and some grocery stores are…
