- Egg prices could rise to as much as 2 zł per egg ahead of Easter 2025.
- Avian influenza has led to the culling of millions of hens and a reduction in supply.
- A seasonal increase in demand is further driving up prices at the retail and wholesale levels.
- Egg exports to the EU and the U.S. may reduce the availability of the product on the Polish market.
Easter without eggs? It’s hard to imagine, but this year their prices could make your head spin. Rising demand, the bird flu epidemic, and global economic changes are turning eggs into a luxury item. Did you think last year’s price hikes were painful? All signs point to Easter 2025 breaking yet another price record.
How much will we pay for eggs during the holidays?
In 2024, just before Easter, prices jumped by an average of 15% over the course of a few weeks. If this trend repeats itself, in March and April 2025 we could see egg prices around 2 zł per egg in premium stores and discount stores.
At the beginning of the year, consumers were paying an average of 80 groszy to 1 zł per egg; today, in many stores, the price has already reached 1.50 zł, and this is just the beginning of the increases.
Experts advise against waiting until the last minute to shop.
“If you’re planning a larger holiday shopping trip, it’s worth thinking about stocking up on eggs early—prices are unlikely to drop, and there may be a shortage in the days leading up to the holidays,” — advises Mateusz Augustyniak, Board Member and Partner at Foodcom S.A.
Eggs Are Getting More Expensive—When Will the Price Hikes End?
Easter is a time when demand for eggs jumps by as much as 30%, and prices typically peak in March and April.
“Demand is enormous, and wholesalers and retail chains are already starting to stockpile supplies because they fear further price hikes. This is a typical reaction to market uncertainty—the higher the demand, the greater the pressure on prices,” says Mateusz Augustyniak.
The rise in egg prices is also affecting the market for processed egg products, such as egg powder, which is a key raw material for the food industry. More and more baking, confectionery, and pasta companies are hedging against price hikes by increasing their inventories of this product. “Demand for egg powder is growing because manufacturers fear supply issues with fresh eggs and want to minimize cost risks. However, its price is also subject to market fluctuations—if eggs become more expensive, so does their processed form,” notes Mateusz Augustyniak of Foodcom S.A. As a result, not only individual consumers but also the entire food industry must prepare for further cost increases ahead of Easter.
Bird flu has wreaked havoc—millions of hens culled
Unfortunately, it’s not just rising demand that’s driving up prices. Poland and all of Europe are grappling with the worst outbreak of avian flu in years, which has decimated poultry flocks.
“Since the beginning of the year, over 2.5 million hens have already been culled in Poland, and each such loss means fewer eggs on the market. The problem is that rebuilding the flock isn’t a matter of a few weeks. Young hens don’t start laying eggs until after 5–6 months, so we’ll be feeling the effects of this epidemic for a long time to come. Additionally, the disease and the culling of flocks are causing farmers to suffer enormous financial losses. Some of them are giving up on farming altogether because they cannot afford to rebuild their farms. This, in turn, further limits the supply of eggs and drives prices up,” comments Mateusz Augustyniak.
Similar problems have affected other European countries and the U.S., where more than 17 million hens were culled last year due to avian influenza. Americans are having to rely on imports, which is affecting the situation in Europe.
The U.S. is importing eggs from Turkey on a massive scale. What does this mean for Europe?
In response to the dramatic situation in its own market, President Donald Trump decided to import 15,000 metric tons of eggs from Turkey. The shipment consists of 700 containers and will continue through July 2025.
“This is the largest egg export in Turkey’s history, and we will feel its effects in Europe as well. Turkey, which was one of the EU’s key suppliers, is now redirecting its production to the U.S. This could mean a further reduction in the availability of eggs in Europe,” says Mateusz Augustyniak, Board Member and Partner at Foodcom S.A.
Will there be a shortage of eggs for Easter?
Experts reassure us that Poland still produces more eggs than it needs, but rising export prices could cause them to be diverted abroad.
“Poland still exports about 30% of its egg production to the EU. If prices continue to rise, Polish eggs will first go where they can be sold at a higher price—namely, to Germany, France, and Italy. As a result, domestic consumers may be surprised not only by higher prices but also by reduced availability of eggs just before Easter,” concludes Mateusz Augustyniak.
Does this mean we should start stocking up now? One thing is certain—prices have been lower. Unfortunately, the forecasts aren’t optimistic; egg prices will continue to rise at least until Easter, and they may reach historic highs.
