Egg heist: Thieves steal 100,000 eggs amid soaring prices in Pennsylvania

Thieves in Pennsylvania have stolen more than 100,000 eggs—worth an estimated $40,000 (₹3,500,000)—in a daring heist that targeted a lorry at Pete & Gerry’s Organics in Greencastle on 1 February, police have confirmed, BBC reported.

The theft comes as egg prices in the US continue to soar due to a bird flu epidemic, making them an increasingly expensive grocery item. As per the reports, Waffle House, a popular US diner chain, has even introduced a $0.50(₹44) surcharge per egg in response to the rising costs, calling it a “temporary targeted surcharge tied to the unprecedented rise in egg prices.”

According to US government data, egg prices surged more than 65% over the past year, with an 8% increase recorded in December alone. The Department of Agriculture predicts costs will rise by another 20% in 2025. The average price of a dozen eggs jumped from $2.51(₹220) in December 2023 to $4.15(₹363) a year later, contributing to reports of empty shelves in some supermarkets.

The bird flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has caused widespread infections in birds, cattle, and some mammals across the US, though human cases remain extremely rare.