"Temporarily Suspended" Due to Global Egg Price Surge... McDonald's Also Abandons 'This Menu'

McDonald's Australia Reduces and Discontinues Breakfast Menu
Global Egg Prices Surge 60% Compared to 2019

As the global average price of eggs soars, not only has an egg shortage occurred, but prices of menu items containing eggs have also increased or been discontinued.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 28th (local time), the Financial Times (FT) and others reported that the global average price of eggs has surged by 60% compared to 2019. As eggs became "golden eggs," major U.S. warehouse stores like Costco experienced early sellouts, causing a shortage. Restaurants selling egg-containing dishes such as omelets and sandwiches raised their menu prices, and the large franchise McDonald's temporarily suspended breakfast menu operations containing eggs at some Australian stores due to the egg shortage.

The primary cause of the egg price surge is avian influenza. In the U.S., 40 million chickens were culled in 2022 due to avian influenza, and another 33 million commercial chickens were culled from November last year to July this year due to another avian influenza outbreak. As a result, in July, the egg shipments from U.S. poultry farms decreased by 2.6% compared to a year earlier. Foreign media pointed out that consumers seeking eggs as a relatively eco-friendly and affordable protein source also contributed to the price increase, and the Russia-Ukraine war causing a sharp rise in feed prices further triggered the egg price hike. Although overall food prices rose only slightly as historic inflation eased, egg prices have risen unusually sharply.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported that as of last month, the consumer price of eggs (per dozen) distributed in the U.S. rose by 28.1% compared to a year ago. Market research firm Datasembly pointed out that the current price U.S. consumers pay for eggs has surged by 83% compared to 2019. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explained, "We have been tracking egg price trends since 1980, and except for the period when the price per dozen exceeded $3 (about 3,900 won) due to the impact of COVID-19, egg prices have never risen this much before."

The situation in Europe, India, Japan, and Australia is not much different. In these countries, egg prices have surged by more than 50-90% compared to 2019.