THE list of grocers placing limits on egg purchases is growing as the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu decimates US poultry flocks, causing a shortage of the product.
As consumers scramble to get their hands on the dwindling supply of eggs, major grocers such as Costco and Kroger have begun imposing limits on the kitchen staple.
GettyMajor grocery stores are restricting egg purchases to prevent panic buying[/caption] APConsumers are facing egg purchase limits and high prices due to the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu[/caption]A walk past the refrigerated section at your local grocery store may reveal empty or nearly barren shelves where the eggs should be.
As the bird flu ravages hundreds of millions of chickens in the country, decreasing egg supplies at grocery stores has shoppers in a frenzy to get their hands on the product.
One video on TikTok from late January shared that Costco’s egg section was depleted in under 10 minutes, depicting members with arms full of egg cartons as well as one shopper with an entire cart full.
Consumers are stocking up on the kitchen essential despite the 53% increase in egg prices from January 2024 to last month, per inflation data reported this week.
Since inflated egg prices are not enough to deter customers from stockpiling the product, grocery stores have begun imposing limits on egg purchases in response to the shopper craze.
CRACKING DOWN
Costco is among the growing list of retailers barring shoppers from hoarding eggs, placing a limit of three cartons per person and limiting online orders.
“Due to supply challenges caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, shell eggs and egg products may be short or cut from delivery orders without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the company said in a statement.
Rival warehouse Sam’s Club is also restricting egg purchases, limiting members to two packages.
Shoppers have also reported that BJ’s Wholesale Club is limiting customers to a maximum of two crates.
Also limiting purchases is Kroger, with some banner divisions placing limits on egg purchases, the company told Fox Business.
Shoppers are being limited to two dozen eggs per trip at the stores where limits are being implemented.
Trader Joe’s is another major grocery store restricting purchases of the kitchen staple.
Every Trader Joe’s location in the US is limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, the chain told Fox Business.
Whole Foods has yet to set a nationwide limit on egg purchases, but individual stores have started to limit purchases.
Shoppers have spotted signs saying that they can only purchase three cartons of eggs at a time.
“We are currently experiencing difficulty sourcing eggs that meet our strict animal welfare standards,” reads a sign at one of its New York City stores.
Safeway customers may also be impacted by a policy limiting egg purchases.
Egg Purchase Limits at Major Grocers
Many major grocery stores have begun restricting egg purchases as the bird flu decimates poultry populations, resulting in a nationwide egg shortage.
Costco: three cartons per person Sam’s Club: two cartons per person BJ’s Wholesale Club: two cartons per person Kroger: two cartons per person at some stores Trader Joe’s: one dozen per person, per day Whole Foods: three cartons per person at some stores Safeway: two cartons per person at some stores Aldi: two cartons per person at some stores Sprouts Farmers Market: four cartons per person Walmart: two 60-count cartons per person Target: stores in Hawaii limiting purchasesAlthough the supermarket chain does not currently have a company-wide limit, individual stores have begun to restrict customer purchases, usually to two dozen eggs per day.
San Francisco Bay Area stores are among those affected.
Although Aldi has yet to implement a nationwide rule limiting eggs, shoppers at the German-based chain are similarly impacted by the egg shortage.
Many have turned to Reddit and other social media platforms to share their local Aldis’ rules, with several reporting a limit of two dozen eggs per visit.
Sprouts Farmers Market has followed suit, restricting customers to four dozen eggs per visit.
“Due to supply shortages, availability may be limited in the coming weeks. Limit four dozen eggs per visit,” read a sign in one California location.
Retail giant Walmart has yet to place a national purchase limit on eggs, except for on 60-count cartons, restricted to two per purchase.
At Target stores, egg limits are only in place at locations in Hawaii as of early February.
Although consumers may find these grocery store limits to be strict, the companies are merely trying to prevent shoppers from panic buying and stockpiling more eggs than needed.
The bird flu outbreak has already surged egg prices, and over purchasing can place further pressure on the egg supply and result in even higher costs.
The shortage in egg supplies has caused much contention among shoppers, with Costco members fighting over eggs due to “panic buying.”
The resulting high prices have also angered consumers, as Sam’s Club shoppers call to boycott the company claiming it’s “a waste of money.”
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