Criminals Hatch A Plan: 100K Eggs Stolen From Truck In PA

In addition to egg shortages and rising prices caused by the avian flu outbreak, consumers now have to add egg theft to their list of societal concerns. AP News reported a massive theft involving 100,000 eggs from the back of a truck belonging to Pete & Gerry's Organics LLC, a Pennsylvania supplier. The eggs have an approximate value of $40,000, elevating the theft to a felony level. According to Megan Frazer, a State Trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police, the crime is unprecedented. "In my career, I've never heard of a hundred thousand eggs being stolen," said Frazer.

The theft, which took place on Saturday, is currently under investigation. So far, there are no leads on who committed it or where the eggs may have ended up. In addition to concerns about egg smuggling during the bird flu crisis, investigators and the general public must now consider egg theft a distinct possibility as people contend with exorbitant egg prices.

Egg theft might become more common as prices of this grocery staple increase. Egg prices continue to rise in 2025, and a reduction doesn't seem likely anytime soon, thanks to the effects of bird flu. Additionally, egg prices naturally spike every winter due to demands related to holiday celebrations, which has only exacerbated consumer concerns. As for when prices are expected to decrease, CNET reports that it's not likely to happen soon. As explained by economist Robert Fry, "Unless you can forecast the course of the bird flu in chickens ... I don't see how you can forecast the price of eggs."

Avian flu spreads very easily from bird to bird. In the U.S., 108 million egg-laying chickens have succumbed to the virus since 2022, with 13 million chickens dying this year alone. Additionally, preventing egg flu on farms is a monumental task, as staff must thoroughly disinfect areas and equipment used to manage chicken flocks while safeguarding flocks from wild birds who might be carrying the disease. An egg heist might seem like the stuff of fiction, but it's an unfortunately real occurrence in a time when consumers are reeling from high food prices.