Egg shortages leave area grocery stores scrambling

COEUR d’ALENE — Some area grocery stores are limiting the number of eggs customers can buy as avian flu continues to affect egg supply nationwide.

Trader Joe’s customers are now limited to one dozen eggs per purchase at all store locations nationwide, including the chain’s location in Coeur d’Alene.

“We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s,” the company said in a statement originally published by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, a dozen extra-large white eggs were going for $3.99 at the Coeur d’Alene Trader Joe’s, while a dozen organic brown eggs cost $4.99.

Spokane-based Yoke’s Fresh Market has had a limit of two dozen eggs per customer to protect its own supplies as neighboring grocery stores were running out completely, Post Falls store manager Tevis Hull explained.

However, that limit could be lifted as soon as today, as the Post Falls store received “triple the supply” of eggs as they’ve been getting in recent weeks.

“It’s a good sign,” Hull said.

Meanwhile, WinCo Foods did not have a purchasing limit on eggs as of Tuesday — but many customers could be seen checking the prices before passing on eggs entirely.

A dozen large white eggs from the brand Oakdell was going for $5.98, 18 white eggs for $8.98, and pallets of 60 medium white eggs were going for $30.98.

Oakdell appeared to be the only brand available for purchase.

“Due to the ongoing impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on poultry populations, egg supplies have been affected, leading to higher costs,” read a notice posted on WinCo egg refrigerators.

While Fred Meyer does not currently have purchasing limits in place, the egg display cases sat almost completely empty Tuesday.

Kroger brand eggs appeared to be the only brand in stock, priced at $6.69 for a dozen extra-large white eggs and $9.69 for an 18-count carton.

“Due to recent supply shortages, the cost to source cage-free eggs that meet our strict quality standards has increased drastically,” a notice to customers read.

A spokesperson for Kroger confirmed with AP that there are currently no “enterprise-wide limits” on egg sales in Kroger-owned stores.

The shortages stem from the loss of more than 23 million egg-laying chickens last month, and about 18 million in December. In order to curb outbreaks, entire flocks must be slaughtered if avian flu is detected. 

    Egg display cases were mostly empty inside Fred Meyer's Coeur d'Alene location on Tuesday.