Trader Joe's limits egg purchases due to bird flu shortages
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Trader Joe's is limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer per day. Photo: Kelly Tyko/Axios
Trader Joe's has added a limit to how many eggs shoppers can purchase at all of its stores as bird flu shortages increase.
Why it matters: The bird flu has affected at least 23 million birds in the last 30 days, according to USDA data.
- Egg prices have reached record highs and expected to go up by 20% this year, according to the USDA.
The big picture: Reports of egg shortages have been on the rise and various retailers across the country have been limiting how many eggs consumers can purchase.
- Trader Joe's has a smaller cap than other retailers on egg purchases, limiting customers to one dozen eggs daily while others often limit customers to two to three cartons.
What they're saying: "Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe's stores across the country," the spokesperson told Axios.
- "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 spokesperson said.
Egg limits at Costco, Sam's Club, more stores
Zoom out: Axios reporters have spotted egg purchase limits at Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's Wholesale Club, Aldi and Whole Foods Market locations as well as smaller grocers. Limits can vary by location.
- Target currently has purchase limits in place in its Hawaii stores.
- Sam's Club told Axios it is limiting "the number of egg purchases to two per item."
- Last week, Waffle House added a temporary surcharge of 50 cent per egg due to rising egg prices from the outbreak.
Walmart eggs: No purchase limits except 60-count
Between the lines: Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, told Axios it is working "with suppliers to try and help meet customer demand, while striving to keep prices as low as possible."
- A company spokesperson said the retailer has "not imposed any purchase limits nationally" except for on a 60-count carton, which it has "limited to 2 per purchase — to help ensure more customers can have access to eggs."
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information from Sam's Club, Target and Walmart.
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