The cost of eggs is sky-high, a result of a wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza — or bird flu — that has caused a shortage of eggs from coast to coast.
More than 23 million birds were killed in December alone after they were sickened with the virus, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The shortage of eggs has forced some grocers to take the drastic step of restricting egg sales.
Here are grocery stores that are now limiting how many eggs you can purchase.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is limiting the purchase of eggs to one dozen per customer each day. The policy applies to all locations across the U.S.
A spokesperson told NBC News:
“We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s.”
Costco
Costco is restricting customers to purchasing three packages of eggs. The retailer typically sells cartons of eggs that contain either two dozen or four dozen.
Lidl
A Lidl spokesperson told News 12 in Long Island, New York, that all U.S. stores have set limits on the sale of some types of eggs.
According to a statement provided to the TV station:
“The following egg brands sold at Lidl US stores are currently limited to two per customer to ensure fair distribution: Green Valley, Simpson’s Eggs, and Puglisi’s Farm.
“Specialty egg brands, including cage-free, free-range and organic, do not have limitations at this time at Lidl US.”
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club told the Austin American-Statesman that it is limiting egg purchases to “two per item.” The Sam's Club statement added that the chain continues to work with suppliers to meet demand.
Walmart
The limit on eggs at Walmart applies only to purchases of 60-count cartons. Walmart customers can purchase two such cartons.
Some Sprouts stores
Sprouts Farmers Market appears to have placed a cap on egg purchases. Customers who go to the Sprouts website will find a “limit 4” notation next to every carton of eggs.
ABC News reports that some Sprouts stores are also enforcing limits for in-store shoppers — such as a limit of four dozen eggs per visit at a Los Angeles store — based on social media reports.
Some Aldi stores
Aldi is another chain that is limiting egg sales at at least some locations. According to TV station NBC Chicago, local Aldi shoppers are being limited to two dozen eggs each.
Afffffffd sign at one Chicago-area store also notes:
“Due to recent market conditions, egg prices have increased. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Some Whole Foods stores
Some Whole Foods Market locations are restricting customers to purchasing three cartons of eggs at one time. Fox Business reports that one New York City store posted the following sign:
“We are currently experiencing difficulty sourcing eggs that meet our strict animal welfare standards.”
Some Kroger Co.-owned stores
Kroger Co. also is limiting egg purchases at some of its chains, CNN and Fox Business confirmed. At those locations, customers are being asked to buy no more than two dozen eggs per shopping trip.
Kroger has not specified which chains have put the restriction into place. Kroger-owned chains include:
- Baker’s
- City Market
- Dillons
- Food 4 Less
- Foods Co
- Fred Meyer
- Fry’s
- Gerbes
- Jay C Food Store
- King Soopers
- Kroger
- Mariano’s
- Metro Market
- Pay-Less Super Markets
- Pick’n Save
- QFC
- Ralphs
- Ruler
- Smith’s Food and Drug
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