As egg prices continue to fluctuate, Americans across the country are growing concerned. With Easter just around the corner, those who enjoy dyeing and decorating eggs for the holiday may need to consider alternatives for this popular tradition if the price of eggs does not decrease. However, Americans are getting creative, finding budget-friendly ways to keep Easter egg traditions alive without breaking the bank, according to The New York Times.
Egg prices in the United States (US) have been rising since September 2023, with the average price reaching $2.04 per dozen eggs. However, prices sparked as high as $8.58 per dozen eggs in February, according to cnbc.com. This sharp increase is largely due to increasingly severe outbreaks of the avian influenza, also known as the bird flu. The virus spreads rapidly through flocks of birds, killing more than 150 million poultry birds since 2022 in an effort to contain the disease, according to fda.gov. Despite these attempts, the number of infected birds has continued to climb in recent months, with about 7 million cases reported in November, 18 million in December, and 23 million in January, according to abcnews.com. Ms. Danielle Kaye, a business reporter for The New York Times, shared that while wholesale prices are beginning to decline, consumers may not see these effects for a while.
“Economists said the decline in wholesale prices, which are still above long-term averages, was very likely fueled by a combination of factors,” said Ms. Kaye, according to The New York Times. “[The] bird flu’s coming under control, weaker consumer demand, ramped-up supply and producer pricing decisions. The Agriculture Department noted that there had been no significant outbreaks of avian flu in March, and economists say any new outbreaks could push up prices again. The virus has forced egg producers to cull tens of millions of hens since late last year.”
The widespread egg shortage led to extreme, even paranoid, measures. In February, a group of thieves stole 100,000 eggs, valued at $400,000, from a grocery store in Pennsylvania, according to bbc.com. Luckily, before the situation could escalate further, wholesale egg prices are beginning to fall significantly, dropping 44 percent since February, when they peaked at $8.58 per dozen, according to cnbc.com. Still, even as prices drop, many consumers may stick with the alternatives they turned to during the shortage, such as minimizing egg-heavy meals at home and in restaurants, or even opting for plant-based substitutes, according to forbes.com. Ms. Stephanie Gravalese, a Forbes contributor who specializes in food culture, noted how the way people view eggs may have changed because of the egg shortage, turning them from a staple ingredient into a luxury.
“The period of record-high prices seems to have changed how many consumers think about eggs,” Ms. Gravalese said, according to forbes.com. “What was once considered one of the most affordable proteins has, at least temporarily, lost that reputation. For many, the shift has also been psychological—after months of eggs being a luxury item rather than a household staple, shoppers may be more cautious in their purchasing habits moving forward. Eggs are back on the table, but consumer behavior will ultimately dictate whether demand returns to pre-inflation norms or if the past year has created a lasting shift in how people shop, cook, and eat.”
In addition to finding alternatives for eggs in meals, people are also getting creative with new ways to decorate eggs for Easter without using real eggs. The crafting community on Instagram and TikTok has realized that plastic and wooden eggs are not only easier to decorate than real ones but also less messy, especially for younger kids, and are reusable year after year. Even marshmallows and small potatoes are popular options, and do not require cooking like real eggs do, according to npr.org.
Moreover, there may be more emphasis on different Easter traditions this year, such as Easter baskets, egg hunts, and most importantly, going to Church on Easter Sunday. Mrs. Meghan McMahon, Head of Upper School at Sacred Heart Greenwich, reflected upon several of the joyous activities to celebrate Easter her family has each year.
“At Easter, our kids love decorating eggs, waking up to find their Easter baskets, and, of course, racing around the yard during our Easter egg hunt,” Mrs. McMahon said. “After all the excitement, we attend Church as a family, which is such a meaningful part of the day. In the afternoon, we gather with grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles to share a delicious meal, plenty of laughter, and lots of quality time!”
Featured Image by Blaire Williamson ’27
