In Reno, finding a carton of eggs has become a challenge.
A trip to several local grocery stores paints a clear picture of the ongoing egg shortage: empty shelves, high prices, and frustration among shoppers. After visits to Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, and Save Mart it became obvious that for most, eggs are either unaffordable or unavailable.
Surprisingly, higher end stores like Trader Joe’s and Sprouts had some of the lowest prices, selling a dozen eggs for $4.99. But Target, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts had shelves that were completely wiped out.
Meanwhile, Walmart, which is often known for budget friendly grocery prices, listed a dozen eggs for nearly $10. There were plenty of organic eggs still available at Walmart, but at a scary near $13 a dozen.
The shortage is largely due to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, severely disrupting egg supplies across the country.
For more than two years, farmers have fought a battle with this fatal strain of bird flu. Since October, multiple large-scale outbreaks of the virus across multiple states have taken a toll on egg-laying hens, driving prices up, and leaving shelves of cheaper options empty. According to government data, the bird flu has affected at least 22.8 million birds in the last 30 days.
To put it in perspective, every wonder what $10 worth of groceries can get you in the U.S. right now? For many, a dozen eggs, just that, and nothing more.
These prices aren’t just affecting your morning breakfast but businesses, especially local bakeries. At Mix Bakeshop on California Avenue, owner Kris Daters explains that eggs are essential in baking.
“No matter the price, we have to buy them,” Daters explained.
However, when asked if she plans to raise prices in response to the spike, Daters remains firm.
“You can’t raise prices for something that is hopefully temporary. As a business owner, you just have to absorb it,” she said.
For some family owned bakeries absorbing the cost isn’t always an option. At El Pueblo Bakery, Alicia Rodriguez immediately responded with “yes” when asked if egg prices had impacted their business.
“It's been hard,” Rodriguez admitted.
To keep up with costs they’ve had to raise pastry prices slightly, by just a few cents. “Not a lot because we want customers to keep coming in, but enough to get by hoping this is just temporary,” Rodriguez said.
Waffle House though announced this week it will be adding a $0.50 surcharge to all egg items on the menu sold at its more than 2,000 locations because of the soaring egg prices. Other chains and restaurants had already added slight increases to their menu prices due to egg prices.
With no clear end in sight for the egg shortage, businesses and consumers alike are forced to adjust. For now, whether it's paying $10 for only a dozen or finding empty shelves, Reno shoppers are left scrambling for eggs.
Our Town Reno reporting by Genevy Machuca