The Egg Crisis: Is Your Favorite Protein Next?

We’ve all felt the shock at the grocery store lately—empty egg shelves and sky-high prices for whatever is left.

The egg shortage, fueled by a bird flu outbreak, has sent prices soaring and left many scrambling for their breakfast staple.

But here's the scary part… this could be just the beginning.

The egg crisis isn't an isolated event, but a warning sign of how quickly our food supply can be disrupted.

And your favorite proteins could be the next domino to fall.

Keep reading to understand the egg shortage, what might be coming next, and the steps you must take now to protect your food security.

Current State of the Egg Market

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report on Tuesday, February 25, saying: “Retail egg prices increased by 13.8 percent in January 2025 after rising by 8.4 percent in December 2024.”

If you think egg prices are high now, the agency predicts that egg prices will increase 41.1% this year.

"Retail egg prices continue to experience volatile month-to-month changes due to an outbreak of HPAI that began in 2022," the report stated.

Ouch.

The HPAI outbreak, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, has been devastating to egg producers.

According to the USDA, “More than 18 million commercial egg layers were infected by bird flu in January 2025.”

That’s the highest monthly total since the outbreak began in 2022.

This massive culling of infected flocks has led to a severe shortage of eggs and egg products. Now, many stores are rationing egg purchases if they’re not completely sold out.

Restaurants are also struggling, many adding egg surcharges to dishes or reformulating recipes to use fewer eggs. Even big restaurant chains like Denny's and Waffle House have added surcharges to their egg dishes.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Wednesday, February 26, that the federal government will spend up to one billion dollars to combat bird flu with a five-point plan.

"This five-point strategy won't erase the problem overnight, but we're confident that it will restore stability to the egg market over the next three to six months," Rollins wrote. "This approach will also ensure stability over the next four years and beyond."

The egg market's fragility should be a wake-up call. It shows how quickly a staple food can be disrupted by disease or other factors.

And with the USDA predicting record-high egg prices for the rest of 2025, the impacts will likely continue for some time.

But as concerning as the egg shortage is, it might just be a canary in the coal mine for broader protein shortages to come.

Potential for Similar Price Hikes for Meat

While the egg shortage is alarming enough, it could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Many experts are warning that other protein sources, such as beef and veal, could face similar disruptions.

According to the USDA, "Beef and veal price increases are expected to moderate compared to 2024, but prices are predicted to continue to increase in 2025 due to tight supplies and continued demand.”

Beef and veal prices are predicted to increase 3.2% in 2025.

And its projected beef production will decline by 2.5% in 2025.

It’s the perfect storm.

Drought conditions hit record highs in 2024 in key cattle-producing states, which forced ranchers to buy more feed. This has led to higher feed costs.

The result: Some ranchers have had to reduce their herds.

Then we have the New World Screwworm, which was found in Mexican cattle herds. Prior to this, the Department of Agriculture reported Mexico was sending about one million cattle to the United States each year.

This disease caused a cattle import ban from Mexico to the United States last November. The ban was lifted in February, but there are new and stricter protocols now in place to assess the health of animals before they enter the States from Mexico.

(And if tariffs are put in place with Mexico, then we can expect higher prices regardless.)

As a result of these challenges, American cattle herds shrunk 1% from the previous year as of January, hitting a 64-year low.

Yet demand for beef and veal remains strong, setting the stage for potential price hikes.

The bottom line is that our protein supply is more fragile than many realize.

How to Deal with Soaring Egg Prices and What’s to Come

We don’t know when egg prices will return to easier-to-buy rates, but this entire situation is a good reminder not to rely on your grocery store for food.

If we step back and look at the big picture, the egg crisis is just one piece of a much bigger problem.

Rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and government mismanagement create the perfect storm for ongoing food shortages.

Instead of finding long-term solutions, the government has relied on mass culling, leaving consumers to deal with the consequences.

What’s happening with eggs today could happen to other essentials tomorrow. Here are some ways to practice food independence and help ease the cost of food:

1. Stock up on Ready Hour Whole Egg Powder. Emergency food doesn’t have to be used for natural disasters alone. It’s also helpful during financial disasters. Rather than breaking the bank on eggs in the grocery store, use whole egg powder. A #10 can of Whole Egg Powder equates to more than six dozen eggs. It’s made of real eggs that have been converted to dry powder for storage. It can be used to make scrambled eggs and omelets, or as a substitute for fresh eggs in cooking, baking, and beyond.
   

2. Identify Egg Substitutes. When recipes call for fresh eggs, be aware of items you may already have in your pantry or refrigerator that act as egg substitutes, such as mayonnaise, applesauce, or mashed bananas.
   

3. Diversify Your Protein Sources. Don’t rely solely on eggs. Stock up on long-term protein alternatives like meat, beans, nuts, and sprouts.
   

4. Raise Chickens. There has never been a better time to start raising chickens than today. In fact, so many people are ready to start raising chickens for their own eggs that some municipalities are changing their ordinances to allow residents to keep food-producing animals, such as chickens. See A Guide to Raising Your Own Poultry to learn more.

5. Barter for Eggs Locally. If you don’t want to raise chickens, find local farmers or homesteaders who may trade eggs for other goods or services.
   

6. Build Trust with Local Farmers. Beyond just eggs, knowing and trusting local food producers is a major advantage during food shortages. When big-box stores run out, local farmers may still have food available—but often only for those who have already built a relationship with them.

Stay prepared, stay self-sufficient.

In liberty,

Elizabeth Anderson

Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply