Chucking the tradition of Easter eggs in the basket? What to do amidst high egg prices in the US?

The Easter weekend is finally here!
So is the excitement of the Easter egg hunt!
But this year, for many families in the United States of America, the Easter egg hunt might look a little different, thanks to the high prices of eggs.
For the unversed, an Easter egg hunt is a festive activity where decorated eggs, which can be real (hard-boiled and colored) or chocolate, are hidden for children to find. The eggs are typically hidden both indoors and outdoors, and the hunt often culminates in prizes for those who find the most, largest, or smallest eggs.


Easter baskets traditionally contain items like Easter eggs, candy, and toys. However, the contents can vary widely depending on the recipient and their preferences. Some baskets might include things like books, art supplies, puzzles, or even tickets to outings.
However, this time, with egg prices at record levels because of the bird flu epidemic, chocolate eggs and jelly beans may become the preferred choice for many instead of the traditional brightly colored hard-boiled eggs. Some might even think of opting for plastic eggs with different paintings as well.

For the unversed, the bird flu outbreak, particularly the wave that began in 2022, has had a devastating impact on US poultry farms. The egg prices increased due to the bird flu outbreak that began spreading on farms in March 2024. More than 167 million birds have been affected across 17 states, disrupting the supply chain and causing prices to climb.
Since the outbreak began, millions of chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been slaughtered to keep the virus from spreading.
It should be noted that there are nearly 380 million egg-laying chickens and more than 9 billion broiler chickens in the US.

In January, according to The Street, a dozen eggs cost about $4.90, which was nearly double what they'd cost a year before. By March, that had increased another 27% to an average of $6.20, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While a dozen eggs in some places, such as New York, according to The Street, were selling for over $10 due to price-gouging.
Finally, a month ago, after being rejected by Poland, Finland, and Denmark when the US proposed to have eggs imported from these countries amidst the bird flu outbreak and surging egg prices, The Hill reported that South Korea and Turkey stepped in as a second option to deliver eggs to the US.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in its weekly egg market report on April 2 that wholesale egg prices fell to $3.00 per dozen, marking a 9% decline from the previous week.
The report mentioned, “The supply situation at grocery outlets has greatly improved in recent weeks and consumers are once again seeing fully stocked shelves and enjoying a range of choices without purchase restrictions.”


Instead of filling Easter baskets with traditional chocolate eggs, consider alternatives like small toys, craft supplies, books, or even tickets for activities like a trip to the park. You can also use items like bath bombs, sidewalk chalk, or confetti eggs to fill the baskets. For a more eco-friendly option, paper mache eggs or wooden eggs can be decorated and used as basket fillers.
Alternative Easter egg creations:
Paper mache eggs: These are eco-friendly and can be decorated with paint, tissue paper, or even used as a carrier for smaller treats.
Wooden eggs: These make a beautiful and reusable display piece and can be painted or decorated.
Felt eggs: These are soft, cuddly, and can be filled with small treats or toys.
Marshmallow eggs: Jumbo marshmallows dyed with food coloring can be a fun and edible alternative.
Plastic eggs: These are a classic and reusable option that can be filled with candy, small toys, or even treats like Play-Doh.