If you’ve been grocery shopping in San Diego lately and walked by the egg section, chances are you’ve done a double-take. That’s exactly what happened to one shopper at North Park Produce:
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw these were only $5.99. I was expecting like $13 or something.”
Egg prices, which had soared in recent months, are finally coming down — and people are definitely feeling the difference in their wallets. After a year of crazy-high grocery bills, this small drop feels like a win.
What’s behind the price drop?
At North Park Produce, General Manager Manolo Ake has seen the shift firsthand. Just a few months ago, he says they were paying $10 to $12 for a pack of 20 eggs. Now? Just $5. That’s more than a 50% price cut.
Their eggs come from a local farm, which helps avoid some of the extra costs that come with transporting food over long distances. Still, Ake says the store isn’t making much money from eggs right now — only about a 9% profit margin.
“When you put in labor and electricity, we’re losing money,” he said. “But we’re trying to bring customers in.”
It’s a strategy that seems to be working — lower prices are drawing people through the doors.
You should be interested in this:
Is Juneteenth a Federal holiday? What agencies and departments will be closed
Senate GOP look to make major changes to Trump’s one, big, beautiful bill
A look at the bigger picture
Nationwide, egg prices are dipping too. According to the Consumer Price Index, egg prices fell 2.7% in May, after dropping 12.7% in April. On paper, that sounds great. But compared to last year? Eggs are still 42% more expensive.
In May, the average price for a dozen Grade A large eggs was $4.55. That’s down from $5.12 in April but still much higher than what people were paying in early 2023.
Is this just a temporary break?
While it’s nice to get some relief at the checkout line, nobody knows how long it’s going to last. Ake is cautiously hopeful but realistic:
“We have no idea what’s going to happen, you know, with all these problems.”
He’s talking about things like avian flu outbreaks, which can kill off millions of chickens, and tariffs that affect the cost of imported feed and supplies. Any one of these issues could cause prices to spike again.
Enjoy it while it lasts
For now, shoppers in San Diego are enjoying the break in egg prices — even if they’re not totally sure it’ll stick around. If you’ve been cutting back on baking or breakfasts to avoid the high cost of eggs, this might be a good time to stock up.
Who knows what next month will bring?
You should also be interested in these news:
Federal government, states or counties: Who has fire powers in the United States?
Who is Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative appointed by Trump
