Breakfast is getting pricier in Atlanta as local restaurants deal with soaring egg costs. Many diners have started adding extra charges to egg dishes to cover the higher prices, which come amid a nationwide egg shortage.
The spike in egg prices is linked to a bird flu outbreak that has hit poultry farms hard. Since 2022, millions of egg-laying hens have died or been culled, causing shortages in grocery stores.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts egg prices will rise another 20% in 2025. Farm-level eggs, like free-range types, are expected to jump even more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that a dozen large eggs cost $4.15 in December, up from $3.65 the month before.
Free-range and cage-free eggs are more expensive. Some stores are limiting purchases per customer, and others struggle to keep eggs in stock.
Adding to the problem, a shortage of refrigerated truck drivers is pushing shipping costs higher. With fewer drivers available, transporting eggs has become more expensive, driving prices up further.
