Egg prices in the United States have skyrocketed to record highs in 2025, driven by a devastating bird flu outbreak and other economic pressures, making traditional Easter egg dyeing a costly affair for many families. With Easter Sunday falling on April 20, 2025, and Passover beginning April 12, the high costs—combined with shortages—have sparked a surge in creative, budget-friendly alternatives for holiday celebrations. Below is a detailed look at the egg price crisis and some inventive substitutes gaining traction, based on reports from sources like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NPR, and The New York Times.
Egg Prices in 2025: A Record-Breaking Surge
The cost of eggs has reached unprecedented levels, with the average retail price for a dozen Grade A eggs hitting $6.23 in March 2025, up from $5.90 in February and $4.95 in January, according to the Consumer Price Index reported by AP News. This marks a 59% increase from February 2024 to February 2025, with the USDA forecasting a further 41.1% rise for the year, ranging from 15% to 74.9%. The daily national average peaked at $8.15 per dozen on March 4, per the USDA’s Economic Research Service, though wholesale prices have since dropped to $3 by late March, a 63% fall from February’s $8.17 high. Retail prices, however, lag behind, with stores like Walmart in Richmond, California, charging $6.34 per dozen as of April 10.
The primary driver is the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or H5N1), which has culled over 168 million birds since 2022, including 30 million egg-laying hens in 2025 alone, per USDA data. January 2025 saw 18.8 million hens lost, the worst month of the three-year crisis. This has slashed egg supplies, with losses equating to about 11% of the U.S.’s 378.5 million egg-laying hens. Other factors include inflation, which raised the Consumer Price Index for eggs by 53% from January 2024 to January 2025, plus higher feed, fuel, and labor costs for farmers. Seven states, including California and Colorado, now mandate cage-free eggs, which are pricier and were hit harder by bird flu, with cage-free hens making up 60% of 2024’s cases despite being a third of the flock. Supply chain issues, like a shortage of truck drivers, also jack up transport costs, per CBS News.
Retailers face pressure too, with some limiting purchases to one carton per customer, and restaurants like Waffle House adding egg surcharges. There’s also scrutiny on producers like Cal-Maine Foods, which saw net income triple to $508.5 million by March 1, 2025, prompting a Justice Department probe into possible price-fixing, though the company denies wrongdoing. Relief may come post-Easter, as wholesale prices dropped in mid-March due to fewer bird flu cases and increased imports, but demand for the holiday could keep retail prices high, warns Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Easter Alternatives: Creative Substitutes for Sky-High Eggs
With eggs averaging $0.29 to $0.42 each at stores like Trader Joe’s and Target, families are turning to innovative, cheaper options for Easter traditions like dyeing and egg hunts. Here are some popular alternatives, drawn from NPR, The New York Times, and Civic Media reports:
Dyed Potatoes: Painting and hiding potatoes has made a comeback from a 2023 price spike, with influencers and families embracing it as a fun, edible substitute. The New York Times highlighted Young’s Jersey Dairy in Ohio, which swapped 10,000 eggs for potatoes in its annual 2,000-person egg hunt, using food coloring for vibrant designs. “Rose Bakes” notes it’s budget-friendly, requiring just potatoes and dye, and kids love the novelty.
Marshmallows: Crafters like Rachel Anderson of Created at Home went viral on TikTok (over 50,000 likes) for dyeing jumbo marshmallows with food coloring and water, a cheaper and sweeter option. Anderson told NPR she enjoyed it more than eggs, as it’s quick—just one to two seconds per marshmallow—and mess-free.
Plastic and Craft Eggs: Michaels reported a 20% surge in sales of plastic egg craft kits, priced at $2.49, with 43% of their Easter sales tied to plaster or plastic eggs. These mimic traditional dyeing but can be reused, with decorations like decoupage or markers, per Jennifer Needham of The Party Teacher. Hey Buddy Hey Pal’s Eggmazing Egg Decorator, which spins plastic eggs for marker coloring, expects to sell 600,000 to 700,000 units in 2025, generating $14 million.
Wooden Eggs: A sustainable but pricier option, wooden eggs are popular for their durability, though Needham notes they don’t hold dye well and cost more than real eggs. Michaels and other craft stores report early demand for these kits.
Painted Rocks and Onions: Civic Media flagged painted rocks as a quirky, reusable choice for egg hunts, while some online tutorials suggest dyeing onions for their egg-like shape, adding a unique twist to decorations.
Chocolate Eggs: Supermarkets like M&S and Waitrose offer affordable chocolate eggs, with The Independent reviewing options under £1.75, including Free From and vegan varieties. These double as hunt prizes and edible treats, easing the need for real eggs.
Sentiment and Outlook
The high prices—$5.99 per dozen at some stores, per KYW Newsradio—have frustrated consumers, with many feeling the pinch on holiday budgets. Yet there’s optimism too, as USDA’s $1 billion plan to combat bird flu, including $500 million for biosecurity and $100 million for vaccine research, aims to stabilize supplies by summer 2025. Posts on platforms like WTOP show excitement for alternatives, with dyed marshmallows and potatoes winning over price-conscious parents. However, some worry these substitutes lack the cultural weight of egg-dyeing, a staple for Easter and Passover, and craft eggs’ upfront costs can deter budget shoppers.
If you’re planning Easter festivities, potatoes or marshmallows are your best bet for cheap, kid-friendly fun—potatoes cost about $0.10 each, and a bag of jumbo marshmallows runs $2–$3. For reusable options, check Michaels’ craft kits or grab chocolate eggs from supermarkets for a sweet twist. Post-Easter, egg prices should ease if bird flu stays contained, so keep an eye on local stores for deals.