Current:Home > NewsEgg prices are hopping again this Easter. Is dyeing eggs worth the cost?-LoTradeCoin
Egg prices are hopping again this Easter. Is dyeing eggs worth the cost?
View Date:2024-12-23 23:43:03
Most Americans wait until the Holy Week to shop for Easter, but no matter how long you wait this year, eggs aren’t likely to go on sale for much less than they are now.
A dozen eggs are around $3 per dozen, on average, according to Federal Reserve data. That’s down from January 2023’s record $4.82, but still more than double the $1.45 average cost before the pandemic in February 2020.
Even if prices aren’t as eye-popping as they were last year, they might still be expensive enough to dissuade some people from dyeing a lot of eggs.
If you fall into this camp, USA TODAY has a list of eggless activities and decor to explore this Easter.
Others may continue to roll with tradition, though People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is suggesting that the White House tweaks its annual Easter Egg Roll on Sunday and use potatoes instead of eggs.
Protect your assets: Best high-yield savings accounts of 2023
"Potatoes are cheaper and healthier than eggs and leave birds in peace," the nonprofit said in a recent news release.
How are people reacting this Easter to high egg prices?
Of the more than 500 consumers polled by research firm Numerator, 65% said they'll buy eggs to decorate and 21% said they plan to buy more than last year. However, 35% said they don't plan to buy eggs to decorate and 11% will buy fewer this year. Of those buying fewer eggs or none, 25% cited high prices as the deterrent.
Whether people will see egg prices as a relief or a hindrance to Easter celebrations depends on what you compare them to.
Numerator's survey showed 67% of respondents said price was the main consideration when buying eggs for dyeing or decorating, and whether you see the cost as reasonable or too high "depends upon when and where one establishes the benchmark,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at consulting firm RSM US. “If it is four years ago, then the evaluation will tend to be not so good. ”
Or it can be relative to how other items at the grocery store are priced. “Eggs are still cheaper than meat,” said Christa Howard Roeh, a mom of three, in Chicago.
Even at $5 per dozen, you can eat two large eggs for dinner for about 85 cents, and they provide protein, omega-3, vitamins and other valuable nutrients, said Brian Moscogiuri, a global trade strategist at Eggs Unlimited, an egg supplier.
That's a bargain compared to the avocado his wife bought on sale for 75 cents, which she thought was inexpensive, he noted. Or even chocolate eggs, which are seeing a price spike this year due to sharply higher cocoa prices. One classic Cadbury creme egg costs more than $1.
“People just aren’t breaking it down to show where the value (of an egg) is,” Moscogiuri said.
Why are eggs so expensive?
Egg prices soared to about $4.82 per dozen in January 2023 after an avian flu outbreak.
Prices started to fall after avian flu subsided. Eggs dropped to about $3.27 a dozen by last Easter and got as low as $2.04 in August.
However, another outbreak last November sent prices higher again. Prices have risen over the past six months, with the average cost of a dozen eggs hitting $3 in February.
How did people react at Easter to last year's surge in egg prices?
In April 2023, a dozen eggs were $3.27, a record-high Easter price. This was a 27% increase from the year-ago period, according to Datasembly, which tracks grocery pricing data in real time.
Egg sales weakened during the two weeks before the holiday compared to the prior year. During those two weeks in 2023, egg sales only rose 20.5% above the 52-week average, retail data from retail data science company 84.51° showed. In 2022, egg sales spiked 35%.
What's the story behind Easter?A bunny, eggs and Jesus: How Easter became a holiday full of symbolism
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.
veryGood! (48)
Related
- How Kim Kardashian Navigates “Uncomfortable” Situations With Her 4 Kids
- Dr. Dre sued by former marriage counselor for harassment, homophobic threats: Reports
- A hurricane scientist logged a final flight as NOAA released his ashes into Milton’s eye
- Here's the difference between a sore throat and strep
- The results are in: Peanut the Squirrel did not have rabies, county official says
- A federal judge rejects a call to reopen voter registration in Georgia after Hurricane Helene
- A hurricane scientist logged a final flight as NOAA released his ashes into Milton’s eye
- Rihanna Shares Sweet Insight Into Holiday Traditions With A$AP Rocky and Their 2 Kids
- Just Eat Takeaway sells Grubhub for $650 million, just 3 years after buying the app for $7.3 billion
- The Fate of Nobody Wants This Season 2 Revealed
Ranking
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Hugh Jackman to begin 12-concert residency at Radio City Music Hall next year
- ESPN signs former NFL MVP Cam Newton, to appear as regular on 'First Take'
- Guy Gansert of 'Golden Bachelorette' speaks out as ex-wife's restraining order request is revealed
- Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach, dies at 89
- The Fate of Nobody Wants This Season 2 Revealed
- Deion Sanders rips late start time for game vs. Kansas State: 'How stupid is that?'
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers-Bucks preseason box score
Recommendation
-
Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
-
Watch dad break down when Airman daughter returns home for his birthday after 3 years
-
Rihanna Has the Best Advice on How to Fully Embrace Your Sex Appeal
-
Trial opens of Serb gunmen accused of attacking Kosovo police
-
Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
-
Sebastian Stan became Trump by channeling 'Zoolander,' eating 'a lot of sushi'
-
Andy Cohen Reacts to NYE Demands After Anderson Cooper Gets Hit by Hurricane Milton Debris
-
Modern Family's Ariel Winter Shares Rare Update on Her Life Outside of Hollywood