Egg prices in New York have climbed to record highs, making a basic kitchen staple a luxury for many.
With the avian flu sweeping through the country, poultry farms have been forced to kill around 26 million birds, creating a shortage that has driven prices to staggering levels.
In some stores, a dozen eggs now cost over $8, and in some cases, prices have hit $15. The spike has pushed bodega owners to take creative measures, including selling eggs individually. Radhames Rodriguez, who has run Pamela’s Green Deli for nearly 40 years, said he had never seen prices this high. With customers unable to afford a full carton, he started selling single eggs alongside other everyday essentials.
For many low-income families, the increase has been devastating. In a city where one in four people live below the poverty line, affording eggs has become a daily struggle. Videos of street vendors selling eggs from makeshift stands have flooded social media, highlighting the desperation.
Some businesses have stepped in to help. In Brooklyn, several stores recently handed out free cartons of eggs, leading to long lines of people hoping to get relief from the rising costs. Prince Abou’s Butchery was among them, with owner Abou Sow saying they felt responsible for making eggs more accessible during this crisis.
The price surge has caught national attention, with lawmakers calling for an investigation into the rapid inflation. The federal government has responded by negotiating egg imports and pledging up to $1 billion to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, grocery store owners say the price hikes are not limited to eggs. Other products, like avocados, are also becoming more expensive. Rodriguez, who now sells avocados in small plastic-wrapped portions, says prices are rising almost daily.