8 Apr 2025
If you’re wondering why eggs are so expensive in 2025 and when egg prices will go down, you’re not alone. Egg prices have skyrocketed over 60% in 2024, with the USDA predicting up to 41% increase in 2025.
For bakeries, bakers, and baked food manufacturers, that’s not just another price hike, it’s a business-altering challenge. Whether you run a small local bakery or a large-scale operation, higher egg costs mean tighter margins, more expensive ingredients, and difficult pricing decisions.
But we’ve got some good news: you don’t have to take this hit. Many bakeries are adapting with innovative and cost-effective egg alternatives that keep quality high and customers happy, without cutting into profits (or drastically changing recipes).
Let’s dive into what’s happening, why eggs are so expensive, and most importantly, what you can do to protect your bottom line as soon as possible.
The rising cost of eggs in 2025
The numbers don’t lie. Egg prices are at an all-time high, and they’re taking bakery ingredient costs with them:
- Shortbread cookie costs: Up 12%
- Cake donut costs: Up 58%
- Devil’s food cake costs: Up 74%
- Grade A large eggs: Up 165% from last year
What’s behind these soaring costs?
A combination of global supply chain breakdowns, economic pressures, and industry consolidation has driven egg prices to unprecedented levels.
Bird flu crisis: Over 162 million birds have been wiped out by avian influenza in 2022, cutting the egg supply drastically.
Industry consolidation: A handful of companies control most of the US egg market, and some are posting record profits while bakeries struggle.
Supply chain issues: Rising costs for feed, labor, and transportation are pushing prices even higher.
So, will egg prices go down soon? Experts say don’t count on it. With continued disease outbreaks and industry shifts, high prices are here to stay through 2025.
What does this mean for your bakery business
For bakers alike, the impact is already hitting hard. Take Madame B’s Bakery in Raleigh as an example. Owner Shanae Bryant reports that egg prices have jumped from $9.68 to $30 per box. Since her bakery goes through 40 dozen eggs per week, it makes it impossible to absorb the cost without cutting into wages or raising prices.
And she’s not alone.
- Waffle House now adds a $0.50 per egg surcharge to its menu.
- Denny’s has increased egg prices at select locations.
- Costco & Trader Joe’s are limiting egg purchases per customer to manage supply.
Understandably, bakers now face a stark choice:
- Raise prices, but risk losing customers.
- Compromise quality, but risk brand damage.
- Find smart ingredient alternatives (the best option!)
How to reduce egg costs with our ingredient alternatives | Cost reduction powered by innovation
Forward-thinking bakers need solutions that preserve taste, texture, and quality, while keeping costs manageable. That’s where Puratos expertise comes in.
Acti Egg Reduction
Acti Egg Reduction is a clean label enzyme solution designed to partially replace eggs in baked goods while maintaining the same volume, texture, and freshness. By leveraging enzyme technology, it optimizes the functionality of eggs in recipes, allowing bakeries to cut egg use by up to 50% in cakes, cookies and cake donuts.
- Use 15-50% fewer eggs without affecting volume or texture.
- Save between 10% on recipe costs while maintaining premium quality.
- Clean label enzyme technology keeps cakes fresh and delicious.
Perfect for: cakes, cookies, cake donuts, brownies, muffins.
Intens Egg Replacement
Intens Egg Replacement is a powdered modular enzyme-based solution that allows bakers to replace up to 50% of eggs in sweet dough applications. Designed to maintain elasticity, taste, and structure, it enables partial egg substitution without sacrificing product integrity.
- Replace up to 50% of eggs in sweet breads and viennoiserie.
- Maintain dough elasticity, taste, and structure, no compromises.
- Estimated 3% savings on egg costs for bakeries.
Perfect for: brioche, Danish and laminated pastries, yeast-raised products.
Sunset Glaze
Sunset Glaze is a plant-based, allergen-free alternative to traditional egg washes, offering the same rich, golden shine without the cost or food safety concerns of eggs. Its ready-to-use formula improves efficiency while eliminating refrigeration needs and reducing contamination risks.
- Egg-free, allergen-free glaze with a rich, golden shine.
- No refrigeration needed, more convenience, less waste.
- Easier to clean and reduces contamination risks vs. traditional egg wash.
Perfect for: buns, rolls, croissants, pastries.
Why glaze baked goods?
A survey found that consumers prefer baked goods with a glazed finish, associating it with freshness, better quality, and visual appeal.
The big question: when will egg prices go down?
The reality? Probably not anytime soon.
According to the USDA, egg prices are expected to stay high throughout 2025, with limited relief in sight. While prices may stabilize later in the year, the combination of disease outbreaks, supply chain challenges, and industry shifts means there’s no guarantee of a major drop.
So instead of waiting for prices to change, consider acting now by adapting recipes, switching to egg alternatives, and future-proofing your businesses.
Cut cost, not quality
By leveraging our innovative egg alternatives, you can cut costs, maintain quality, and keep customers coming back, no matter what the market does.
Contact your local Puratos representative to get on board and incorporate these innovative solutions as soon as possible.
Searching for more solutions to unpredictable market changes? Check out our guide to best vegan baking substitutes for eggs, butter, and dairy to explore even more ways to optimize ingredients.
The Egg Shortage Explained: Why Are Eggs So Expensive? – Forbes
Egg Prices Expected to Rise More Than 40% in 2025 – NewsNation
High Egg Prices Significantly Impact Ingredient Costs – Baking Business
Egg Prices Are Soaring, and Bird Flu May Not Be the Only Culprit – The New York Times
Egg Prices Are Affecting Bakeries Across the U.S. – Spectrum News
Egg Reduction Solutions for Bakery and Patisserie – Puratos
Combating Rising Food Costs with Innovative Baking Solutions – Puratos
Best Vegan Baking Substitutes for Eggs, Butter, and Dairy – Puratos
Acti – Enzyme-Based Cake Improver for Egg Reduction – Puratos
Cleaner Label Commitments in Baking – Puratos
