Large-scale egg theft in Pennsylvania
In a shocking incident amid a nationwide egg shortage, approximately 100,000 eggs valued at $40,000 were stolen from a distribution trailer in Pennsylvania on February 4, 2025. According to a report by CNBC, the theft occurred at Pete and Gerry’s Organics LLC in Greencastle. Authorities have stated that they currently have no additional information and that an investigation has been launched.
Supplier responds to the theft
Pete and Gerry’s Organics LLC released a statement acknowledging the incident and assuring the public that they are actively cooperating with authorities.
“We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible. Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment any further on this matter,” the supplier told CNBC.
Egg prices soar due to bird flu crisis
The theft comes at a time when the United States is experiencing a severe egg shortage. A nationwide outbreak of bird flu has caused egg prices to skyrocket, with Bloomberg reporting that a carton of eggs now costs around $7.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a dozen large eggs are currently being sold at an average wholesale price of $7.08, which is seven times higher than the cost two years ago.
Since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022, approximately 104 million egg-laying hens have died. The United Egg Producers report that from October 2024 alone, around 29 million hens have succumbed to the virus.
Rising demand for eggs
Amanda Oren, vice president of industry strategy for grocery in North America at supply-chain platform RELEX Solutions, told Bloomberg that the demand for eggs has also increased due to dietary trends. She pointed to drugs like Ozempic, which is primarily designed for diabetes treatment but widely used for weight loss, as a factor driving demand for eggs as a protein source.
In New York City, egg prices have reached as high as $11.99 for a carton of a dozen cage-free eggs, making it one of the most expensive staples in grocery stores amid the ongoing crisis.
