With avian flu continuing to compromise the wellbeing of domestic American fowl, egg shortages have been reported across the United States.
Some shops with eggs in stock are increasing prices and imposing limits on the number of purchases per customer. But it’s not just consumers who are feeling the pinch of egg shortages and pricing increases. Restaurants are also being impacted.
In Northern Dutchess, eggs remain for sale, be it at the gas station, the market or a farm.
In the local area, eggs for sale are at price points higher than the national average, which generally tends to be the case with New York state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor as reported on USDA.gov in January, the average national price of a carton of eggs was listed at $4.95 per dozen — up $0.81 per dozen from December 2024.
According to a statement on the USDA website posted on Jan. 31 regarding New York eggs, “Prices are up 7 cents for extra-large and large and 9 cents higher for medium ... Demand is moderate to good. Offerings are very light. Supplies are very light to moderate. Market activity is active.”
Locally, egg prices are mixed within a certain range with no clear explanation as to the variables in pricing, product and venue.
Local egg prices
On Feb. 12, eggs could be found at Cumberland Farms on Route 44 in Millerton for $7.99/dozen. A few doors down at the Gulf station, prices were not displayed, perhaps in response to fluctuations in the market, but eggs were stocked on their shelves.
On Feb. 14, Freshtown in Amenia featured multiple refrigerated shelves of eggs with pricing contingent on size and color. A standard carton of medium eggs was listed at $7.49/dozen while a carton of jumbo eggs was listed at $9.49/dozen. Extra-large brown eggs were listed at $8.99. Specialty eggs were also found on their shelves. Legacy’s large brown free-range eggs were priced at $6.99/dozen. Eggland’s Best organic brown eggs were priced at $8.49. Vital Farms pasture-raised large brown eggs were listed at $9.99/dozen.
That same day, local eggs from the Sharon Farm in East Canaan, Connecticut, were spotted for sale at Sharon Market at $7.99/dozen. While the number of cartons was limited in comparison to Freshtown, farm-fresh eggs were ready for purchase in varying shades of brown. Egg size was not listed on the label.
Peck’s Market in Pine Plains offered plenty of eggs on its shelves and featured pricing ranging from under $6.00 for a dozen large white cage-free eggs from Noah’s Pride to $7.59/dozen for brown free-range Grade A eggs. A dozen eggs, size indeterminate, at Millbrook Beef & Dairy listed at $8.00/dozen. The cashier stated their eggs are gathered fresh and sold on the same day. Indeed, only one carton remained available for purchase on Friday, Feb. 14 in the afternoon.
Restaurants cope
Sandy Sherman, proprietor of the Talk of the Towne deli in Millerton, has witnessed past price jumps in eggs. Sherman noted previous fluctuation in egg pricing typically resulted in decreases as avian flu ran its generally seasonal course, but she is concerned about the 2025 increase, which she doesn’t anticipate trending downward anytime soon. According to Sherman, she is now paying $90 for 15 dozen eggs as opposed to $50 per 30 dozen, which is what she paid last year. Sourcing eggs has been an issue for Talk of the Towne, but only because one of its suppliers is no longer in the business.
While Sherman hasn’t revised menu pricing and would prefer to steer clear of price increases altogether, she hasn’t ruled it out entirely, saying, “If it [egg supply pricing] keeps going, we’ll have to.”
As with Sherman, Jessica LeJeune, manager of the Oakhurst Diner in Millerton, has also seen previous pricing fluctuations with eggs, but costs remain the same for its customers.
LeJeune, however, remains optimistic that the situation will change, saying, “We’ve seen this trend before.” LeJeune was quick to point out the Oakhurst periodically enacts slight across-the-board price tweaks due to rising costs. She also maintained the diner has no plans to utilize egg substitutes or other less expensive options.
Backyard chickens
For anyone who has opted against paying high egg prices, whether in restaurants or stores, there is an alternative, premises-permitting. Kristen Maillet of Agway, in conjunction with her husband, Frank, has been tending her own flock of egg-laying chickens at home for the past 2-1/2 years. While her flock produces fewer eggs in the winter, which is when chickens can molt, Maillet conveyed some eggs have been laid, a number which can double in the summer. Maillet has opted against selling eggs, preferring to share extras with friends or coworkers.
Costs per adult laying hens can range in the region from $20-$30 per bird with monthly costs for feed running around $15/bag. In addition to feed, Maillet also provides fruit and vegetables to her flock whenever possible. She and her husband guard their chickens carefully with a predator-proof coop from the ground to the sky, with Maillet noting, “It’s like Fort Knox.”
For more information on starting a chicken flock, visit: agway.com, navigate to “Events” and select “2025 Chick List.”
While eggs have become more expensive in Northern Dutchess, price points throughout the region are more or less in line with Hudson Valley egg pricing. This past weekend, prices for a carton of large white eggs ranged from $4.49/dozen for Eggland’s Best to approximately $11 for an 18-pack of Vital Farms brown eggs at Foodtown in Cold Spring in Putnam County. At Adams Fairacre Farms in Wappingers Falls, the starting price for a carton of large eggs, white or brown, was listed at $7.49 with prices gradually increasing by egg size.
