Restaurants deal with high costs as DOJ reportedly looks into egg prices

Eaters are fighting amidst the ongoing shortages as egg costs are high and reported Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating empty prices.

Some restaurants introduce additional charges for eggs in recent weeks to help address the increased costs encountered for the product.

“To Fox Business Correspondent Madison Alworth on Monday,” Mary Josephine Genoso, manager of Pasticelia Rocco in New York City.Big Money ShowThe egg prices were so high that “eddy and beverage” initially thought when I saw one of the bills that it was either pricing wrong or being a scam.

“We called another vendor who actually checked the price of the egg,” Genosaud said. “Last week alone, they were over $230, so that's just crazy. That's a crazy amount.”

Egg prices projected to exceed 40% in 2025: USDA

“As of last week, they were $230 for 30 dozen,” Genososo said in an interview about the cost of the eggs they manage. “Back in December, it was about $122 in 30 dozen cases. Just a few years ago we were looking between $38 and $60.”

Due to the price of eggs, Rocco introduced a small extra charge for egg sandwiches and omelettes, Alworth reported.

Additional charges for major chain waffle house and Denny's implementation eggs. last month. The temporary extra charge at Waffle House restaurants was 50 cents per egg, but Denny told Fox Business at the time that “pricing is done on a market basis, and restaurants per restaurant lacks eggs, so there's a per restaurant impact.”

The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as avian influenza, has led to a shortage of eggs in the US, contributing to the high prices of many consumers and businesses.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, large-scale Grade A eggs in January averaged $4.95 in January, 80 cents more expensive than the previous month, and costing $2.43 more than last January.

Eggs are lacking in the US due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as avian influenza (istock / istock)

The agency reported that the consumer price index showed that in January it had increased egg costs by 53% year-on-year.

A report released last week by the Agriculture Department fixed the price of a “stage-wise loose, large white shell egg nationwide trade” at $6.85 per dozen.

Last week, a report that DOJ was investigating egg prices came to light.

Department of Justice investigates surge in egg prices: Report

Antitrust enforcers with a division are investigating the causes of prices rise, including whether egg producers are conspiring to artificially inflate supplies. Reported by the Wall Street Journalquote source.

According to the US egg marketing organization, the long-standing bird flu outbreak has been “devastating” for the industry and its farmers, causing supply problems.

The consumer price index showed a 53% year-on-year jump in egg costs in January. (Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Since the start of this year in January 2025, we have lost and counted more than 30 million birds,” Emily Metz, CEO of American Eggboard, told Fox Business. “Last week was actually the first week we had a week without a new farm with an outbreak of bird flu. So this impact was devastating for our industry. It was devastating for our farmers, and like I said, our farmers are in the battle of their lives.”

Later last month, the USDA announced plans to “control the highly pathogenic avian flu, protect the US poultry industry, and lower egg prices.” This includes $1 billion in investments.

The Trump administration announces key strategies to lower record egg prices “quickly”

According to the USDA, $500 million in funding will be spent on biosecurity measures, while $400 million will benefit farmers financially, the USDA said. He said it would earn $100 million for vaccine research.

In 2024, the US consumption of eggs per capita was 37.8 pounds. According to Ibisworld.

Brie Stimson contributed to this report.