Costco and Trader Joe’s Are Limiting How Many Eggs People Can Buy—Here’s What to Know

In case you haven’t heard, we’re currently in the midst of a nationwide egg shortage. And because eggs are in short supply these days, two popular grocery chains—Costco and Trader Joe’s—have begun to limit the number of eggs each customer can purchase.

“Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe’s stores across the country,” a Trader Joe’s spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News. “We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe’s.”

While Costco has yet to announce any formal, company-wide limit on the number of eggs shoppers can buy, NBC is also reporting that some Costco locations have instituted a 3-carton per person maximum, which several TikTok users have confirmed. 

In other parts of the country, however, where there is seemingly no limit in place, Costco customers can be seen with their carts filled to the brim with eggs. According to one TikTok user who was shopping at Costco late last month, the hundreds of eggs that had been delivered to the big-box store for sale were gone in approximately 10 minutes.

Since Costco and Trader Joe’s are known for low prices, it makes sense that those chains would be among the first to enact egg purchase limits. As customers have noted, eggs from these retailers are still reasonably priced, though that’s not necessarily the case at other grocers across the country. Per information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, egg prices nationwide have risen more than 65 percent from December 2023 to December 2024. More specifically, the average cost in December 2024 for a dozen Grade A eggs was $4.15, compared to $2.51 in December 2023.

Why Are Eggs So Expensive Right Now?

Egg prices are currently very high (and on the rise) largely because of an avian flu outbreak that is still ongoing. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, roughly 7 million birds were affected by the virus in November, approximately 18 million were affected in December, and another 23 million were impacted in January. This, in turn, has caused a national egg shortage, which has led to soaring prices for the eggs that make it to store shelves.

4 Egg Substitutes You Can Cook and Bake With

If you have reached the limit for the number of reasonably priced eggs you can buy at Costco or TJ’s, and don’t feel like shelling out more money than normal for eggs at your neighborhood supermarket, you could always use an egg substitute for many of your baking and cooking needs. Here are a few popular (and less expensive) egg substitutes that will work in a pinch.

• Applesauce: Substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for every egg the recipe calls for. This swap works best in cakes, quick breads, muffins, and brownies
• Silken tofu: Substitute a 1/4 cup of pureed tofu for each egg in the original recipe. This swap works best in brownies, breads, cookies, and quick breads.
• Aquafaba: Often used as a vegan egg substitute, aquafaba is the liquid leftover from cooked chickpeas or other legumes. Use 3 tablespoons to replace 1 egg when making meringue, macaroons, or angel food cake.
• Vegan eggs: If you’re craving a frittata or an omelet, try a vegan egg substitute such as JUST Egg. While not the most cost-effective option, this is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for an egg-based dish.