HONOLULU (KHON2) — The ongoing egg shortage continues increasing prices with no end in sight.
“We’re not sure how long it’s going to last,” stated Tina Yamaki, Retail Merchants of Hawaii president. “Sometimes, we see people buying carts of eggs and think, ‘Oh my God, they’re hoarding the eggs.’ It’s probably for use in their restaurant or their bakery because they can’t get eggs.”
According to data from the Department of Agriculture, the price for a dozen locally produced eggs went up from $6.91 to $8.87 – a 28% increase. The price of mainland eggs jumped 51% from $5.50 to $8.35 between 2021 and 2024.
“Farmers here, they have to buy feed, fertilizer, all this other kinds of stuff. Whereas on the mainland where the prices may have gone up, they’re able to truck it or get a cheaper way to transport these things. So, is easier to obtain,” Yamaki said.
Despite the price increase, restaurants like Egghead Cafe are keeping their menu prices the same.
“We’re basically taking that loss right now and we’re not having to raise our price yet,” said Kevin Young, owner of Egghead Cafe. “The biggest impact was the limit of quantity we can get. We have to be very careful they don’t get spoiled.”
Other retailers may be making changes to save on costs.
“You may be cut down to two or three choices for bakery. They might not be baking as many products as they normally do. They may cut the order in half and once it’s sold out, it’s sold out,” Yamaki said.
For consumers looking for eggs, your best bet is still your local supermarkets or egg farmers.
“You might want to ask your supermarket, when do they expect the next shipment if they’re running out of eggs, sometimes you can’t get the eggs that you want, whether they’re the extra large or the white eggs or the brown, but just be patient,” Yamaki said.