For the second consecutive year, high egg prices are putting a damper on Easter festivities.
Supply issues stemming from the ongoing bird flu outbreak and increased demand due to weather-related factors have contributed to the recent surge in egg prices.
Though egg prices are about 17% lower than they were a year ago, they've recently begun to climb again, up about 8.4% last month compared to January. The national average for a dozen eggs was $4.38 as of March 24, down from $4.68 around the same time last year, reported Axios.
Brian Moscogiuri, a global trade strategist at Eggs Unlimited, told Axios that Easter ranks as the second-busiest period for egg demand, following closely behind the winter holidays.
There are usually more promotions around Easter, but "we're not seeing as much of that this year," Moscogiuri said.
Eggs also play a prominent role in the Jewish holiday of Passover, which starts April 22.
According to Datasembly's Grocery Price Index, the price of eggs is up 45% nationwide in March compared to pre-pandemic times.
Hawaii has the most expensive eggs at $7.05 for a dozen, followed by Alaska at $6.25, Oregon at $5.97 and California at $5.85. Missouri had the cheapest eggs at $3.14 a dozen, followed by Kansas at $3.19, Oklahoma at $3.21, and Vermont at $3.27, said Datasembly.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently penned a letter to first lady Jill Biden requesting the White House use potatoes rather than eggs for their annual Easter Egg Roll.
PETA has continually asked for "kinder" Easter egg alternatives, such as plastic or wood eggs, for years.
