So-called 'eggflation' – a phenomenon that's seen the price of eggs rise by as much as 15% – is skyrocketing, with prices for the breakfast and baking essential scrambling to record highs. Factors range from bird flu outbreaks to rising production costs, but while some nations are grappling with a full-blown egg affordability crisis, others are getting off relatively lightly.

With this in mind, read on to discover the current price of 12 regular-sized chicken eggs in 30 selected countries, based on data collated by cost of living website Numbeo on 19 March 2025.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

India boasts the cheapest egg prices globally. As the world's second-largest producer, the nation benefits from economies of scale, which keep costs down. Several factors contribute to this affordability, including widespread intensive battery farming, low land, labour and feed costs, generous government subsidies, and the fact that production facilities tend to be strategically located near urban centres, minimising transportation expenses.

Plus, India has the lowest per-capita egg consumption in this round-up at 82 a year, resulting in comparatively modest domestic demand. This means a significant number of its eggs are exported. Ironically, despite being one of 108 countries battling H5 avian flu, the latest outbreak in Andhra Pradesh has actually crashed prices as consumers shun poultry products.

Indonesia's per-capita egg consumption is among the highest in the world, meaning demand is fierce in the country – eggs feature in two of the nation's five national dishes, nasi goreng and gado-gado, plus plenty of other staple meals.

This demand is more than met domestically, as the nation is the third-biggest egg producer globally. Large-scale factory farming helps keep prices low. In Asia, only Bhutan bans battery cages, with the practice ubiquitous across the continent. However, H5 avian flu has put pressure on prices; last year, an outbreak of the disease killed 1.88 million poultry in Java and Bali.

Eggs have long been exceedingly affordable in Russia by global standards for many of the same reasons seen in India, from abundant domestic supply from battery farms to bountiful government subsidies. But prices were actually a lot lower before late 2023, when they surged by more than 40%.

A perfect storm of bird flu outbreaks, Western sanctions, supply-chain issues and mounting feed costs squeezed supplies and fuelled the price hikes. And though the country's egg crisis has since abated, shoppers are still feeling the pinch when it comes to this culinary essential, a key ingredient in classic Russian dishes like blini and Olivier salad.

China has the world's highest egg consumption per capita. The average person in the country gets through 439 a year, with the figure rising to an eggs-traordinary 524 in Hong Kong. The demand is more than matched since China is the planet's top egg producer by a very wide margin, thanks in large part to its vast factory farms.

In fact, the People's Republic has an oversupply problem, which has led to falling prices of the kitchen essential, bucking the global trend.

Malaysia has been grappling with an egg shortage since 2022, caused in part by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which pushed up feed prices and hammered producers in the nation. As costs for the consumer increased, the Malaysian government introduced price controls, but these further compounded the shortage. The country has had to resort to importing eggs from India, according to newspaper The Straits Times.

To bolster food security, the controls were lifted late last year, and prices have risen as a result. They remain low by international standards, with a dozen regular eggs averaging $1.93 (£1.49) in the country.

Brazil has the second-cheapest egg prices in Latin America after Bolivia. The nation permits factory cages and, as a result, is self-sufficient in meeting its domestic demand. That's despite the fact demand has actually grown in recent years, with an increasing number of Brazilians turning to eggs for their protein needs as meat prices have soared.

Moreover, Brazil has been less affected by avian flu than many other countries. While outbreaks have occurred, production losses have been minimal.

On the flip side, bird flu and supply-chain issues, along with increased demand for cage-free eggs, are pushing up prices in the Philippines, though they remain low from a global point of view. This year, costs to the consumer are expected to increase by 20%.

To mitigate this, the Filipino government is planning a range of measures: importing egg-laying hens en masse, fast-tracking avian flu vaccine approval and funding a vaccine testing programme, according to newspaper The Pinnacle Gazette.

Japan has the third-highest per-capita egg consumption globally at 392 a year, meaning the average person in the country consumes at least one a day. The country is nearly self-sufficient in eggs, which means meeting the high demand isn't a problem, and prices are relatively low. Additionally, Japan is one of the few countries alongside the US, Canada and Sweden that washes its eggs. While this usually requires the eggs to be refrigerated, which adds to costs, it also extends their shelf life, helping to reduce waste and maintain affordable prices. Eggs are also usually kept in the chiller cabinet in Japan since they are commonly eaten raw.

However, bird flu outbreaks have pushed egg prices to record highs in the country. Prices were already compounded by last summer’s heatwaves, which affected production as hens lay fewer eggs in hot weather.

Colombia's egg industry is admired the world over. No other country has seen a bigger increase in consumption over the past decade or so, yet the nation's producers have more than met the growing demand, making the industry ever more sustainable in the process, which has kept prices steady.

Best of all, Colombia's egg industry has been remarkably adept at controlling avian flu. Currently, there are zero cases of the highly pathogenic disease in the country.

South Africa hasn't been quite so fortunate.

Bird flu outbreaks in 2023 led to mushrooming prices in the country and costs remain high by local standards. A hefty 30% of national egg production was lost and the industry has yet to recover fully, leaving supply tight and prices elevated. However, the situation is expected to normalise by the middle of this year – if, of course, there are no further outbreaks or supply-chain disruptions.

Mexicans are major consumers of eggs, which feature in numerous national dishes from huevos rancheros to eggs and rice. Indeed, per-capita consumption is the second-highest globally at 425 a year. But prices have recently been on the rise.

While Mexico is a major producer of the store cupboard staple – homegrown company Proteína Animal is the world’s second-biggest commercial supplier – it still imports many of its eggs from the US to meet the substantial demand. Needless to say, the avian flu crisis plaguing America has led to reduced supply and higher costs for Mexican consumers, who had long been accustomed to paying rock-bottom prices for eggs.

Argentina boasts the second-highest per-capita egg consumption rate in Latin America, with the average person eating 336 eggs annually. And this already high consumption has recently increased.

President Milei's austerity policies and the country's eye-watering inflation have led to increased poverty, prompting many Argentinians to substitute meat with eggs as a more affordable protein source. This surge in demand has, in turn, driven up egg prices, even though eggs remain a much cheaper alternative to Argentina's beloved beef.

Peru stands out amid the global surge in egg costs as prices there have actually fallen over the past year. The reason? Online newspaper Infobae has pointed to a wave of illegal egg smuggling from neighbouring Bolivia.

As we've mentioned, Bolivia has the cheapest egg prices in Latin America. According to Numbeo, a box of a dozen costs just $1.87 (£1.44) in the country. This has created a strong incentive for egg producers (and smugglers) looking to capitalise on the market in Peru, where egg prices are typically 38% higher.

Spain has the cheapest egg prices in Western Europe, with a dozen costing only $2.80 (£2.16). An essential part of the nation's diet, eggs play a starring role in many Spanish culinary classics from the tortilla española to Russian salad and salmorejo.

While the EU banned battery cages in 2012, enriched colony cages, which provide hens with more space and amenities like perches and nesting areas, are still legal in Spain. This helps keep prices low, as 77.6% of hens in the country are kept in cages. Additionally, the EU has more stringent disease control measures than the US. This helps contain avian flu outbreaks, reducing the need for culling. Spain also benefits from a better balance between supply and demand.

Eggs are relatively inexpensive in the UAE, typically coming in at $2.97 (£2.29) for a dozen. And the country's government is pulling out all the stops to ensure they stay that way.

While the UAE hasn't been significantly affected by avian flu, the powers-that-be introduced price controls on eggs in December to keep prices low. This proactive measure is being heavily enforced. The rules are strict and retailers are obliged to obtain government approval for any price rises.

Singapore imports the bulk of its eggs, which is reflected in retail prices. While not excessive, they are much higher than in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia.

The city-state has long been reliant on Malaysia for the lion's share of its egg supply. But with Malaysia suffering shortages, Singapore has had to diversify its egg imports, expanding its supply network to include a much wider range of countries. The tiny nation now imports eggs from as far afield as Türkiye, Poland and Spain.

Canada's egg farms are typically much smaller than those seen in America, with an average of 25,000 laying hens apiece. In the US, mega-farms packed with millions of chickens are prevalent. For this reason, Canada is far more protected against devastating avian flu outbreaks, so it isn't suffering the sort of egg crisis America is undergoing. It's simply a lot easier to contain an outbreak in Canada, and far fewer birds have to be culled as a result.

Plus, unlike the US as a whole, Canada is in the process of phasing out battery cages, with full implementation expected by 2036.

The EU's higher welfare standards mean higher retail prices, though many consumers are willing to pay a premium for more humane treatment of hens. Germany has taken it one step further and banned all caged eggs, including those laid in enriched colony cages. The ban takes effect at the end of this year. From 1 January 2026, only barn-laid and free-range eggs will be permitted.

Germany has experienced avian flu outbreaks, but they have been successfully contained. Incidentally, free-range chickens are more at risk of contracting bird flu since they're allowed to roam outside, where they can be exposed to wild birds. However, outbreaks tend to be more devastating in factory farms since the very close confinement of the animals facilitates rapid spread.

Chileans pay through the nose for their eggs, spending considerably more than people in other parts of Latin America. Eggs are relatively unpopular in the country, with consumption comparatively low, so Chile lacks the economies of scale that egg-crazy nations like Mexico and Argentina enjoy.

Other reasons for Chile's high egg prices include avian flu outbreaks and the steep cost of chicken feed in the country.

Egg prices in Belgium have shot up in recent months, with the average cost of a dozen now standing at $3.80 (£2.93).

Several factors are contributing to the price rises. These include avian flu outbreaks and tighter rules surrounding animal welfare and nitrogen emissions. According to the Belgian Farmers' Union, the new stipulations have resulted in fewer poultry farms in the country, constraining egg supplies and putting upward pressure on prices.

Post-Brexit, the UK has stuck to the EU ban on battery eggs initiated in 2012 and all major supermarkets operating in the country made a pledge to stop selling enriched colony cage eggs by 2025. Barn-laid and free-range eggs dominate the market, though there have been long periods when free-range hens have been confined to barns in so-called 'flockdowns' due to avian flu outbreaks.

These higher humane standards translate to relatively high egg prices. Like Canada, the UK is much less vulnerable than the US to an all-out egg crisis because farms in the country are on a much smaller scale. That said, as of February 2025, 1.8 million birds have been culled amid 33 outbreaks of bird flu.

Ireland permits enriched colony cages but around half of the 3.9 million egg-laying places in the country are in barn or free-range facilities, which contributes to higher average costs for the kitchen staple.

In response to a handful of cases of avian flu found in wild birds in the country, the Irish government has introduced strict new biosecurity regulations to prevent the disease from spreading to commercial chicken flocks.

Eggs are central to French cuisine, featuring in the classic omelette, soufflés, quiche Lorraine and many other traditional dishes. France banned new cage farms in 2018, and many of its eggs are barn-laid or free-range, which of course increases prices. However, costs have remained relatively stable.

When it comes to avian flu, the country has barely been affected, helped in large part by a duck vaccination campaign – ducks are notorious for being carriers of the virus. That said, in November the French authorities did raise the risk level from the disease to 'high'.

As the third-largest egg producer globally, the US is home to numerous mega factory farms, as well as the world’s leading commercial egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods. These large-scale operations, combined with lax biosecurity measures and poor containment, have contributed to widespread outbreaks of avian flu, resulting in mass death both from the disease itself and preventative culls. Additionally, fires at facilities have led to significant losses. Last year, 39.9 million commercial hens were lost across 12 states, and bird flu has also affected barn-laid and free-range eggs in the country.

The vast number of losses has caused US egg prices to skyrocket, prompting desperate measures, from audacious egg heists to backyard chicken rentals. The situation is also casting a shadow over the Trump administration, which is facing mounting criticism for its handling of the inflation crisis and the high cost of essentials.

Trump took credit for the wholesale price of eggs briefly falling by 15% earlier this month. But Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned in February that the egg market won't stabilise for another three to six months, and the US Department of Agriculture is planning to spend an additional $1 billion (£771m) to tackle the causes of eggflation. Denmark has also confirmed that Trump has asked the European nation to ship surplus eggs to the US, though an agreement has yet to be reached.

Australia and its continental neighbours, including New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, are free of the H5 subtype of avian flu that's been circulating throughout the rest of the world. But the Land Down Under hasn't escaped the ravages of the disease.

Australia has been battling outbreaks of the H7 subtype instead. Last year, this caused the country's biggest outbreak of bird flu and led to the culling of two million chickens. The aftermath of the outbreaks and other factors, such as the phasing out of cage eggs in the country, has led to widespread shortages of the cooking basic and higher prices. This has forced retailers across the country to introduce restrictions on the number of eggs that consumers can purchase.

Sweden prohibited battery cages back in 1989, long before the EU ban, and all its eggs come from either free-range chickens or those living in enriched colony cages or barns.

As previously mentioned, Sweden is among the few countries that allows eggs to be washed, though unwashed eggs are available there too. But the Swedish process differs from the American approach as it avoids destroying the cuticle, which prevents bacteria and other microbes from penetrating the shell. For this reason, eggs don't have to be refrigerated in Sweden despite being washed.

Austria is one of the few countries that's fully banned caged eggs, which is a major win for animal welfare but necessarily comes at a higher cost for consumers.

The country is also experiencing a shortage of eggs, particularly organic and free-range varieties. An avian flu outbreak last autumn wiped out 200,000 of the nation's 7.3 million laying hens, according to news site The Local AT, straining supply during the high-demand winter tourism season. However, Austria is nearly self-sufficient in eggs, producing 90% of its needs, and the shortage is expected to ease by Easter this year.

The Netherlands has the highest per-capita egg consumption in Europe, with the typical Dutch person eating 387 eggs a year. Meanwhile, the country outlawed all cage systems in 2021, meaning only more expensive barn-laid and free-range eggs are available.

Plus, like its neighbour Belgium, the Netherlands has imposed strict nitrogen emission regulations, which have forced many farms to reduce production or close altogether. This has limited the domestic egg supply, contributing to higher prices.

Egg prices doubled in New Zealand in 2023 and remain high. The country imposed a total ban on battery eggs that year and all major supermarkets operating there have removed caged eggs from their shelves, or are in the process of doing so.

Additional contributors to New Zealand's stiff egg prices include higher feed prices due to the war in Ukraine and poor wheat harvests at home. Compounding matters, the country had to deal with a H7 avian flu outbreak in Otago in December that resulted in the culling of almost 160,000 chickens.

Swiss hens are no doubt the luckiest and happiest in the world. A trailblazer in animal welfare, Switzerland was the first country to prohibit factory cages, which were banned way back in 1992. The country has also outlawed enriched colony systems, while Migros, Switzerland's leading food retailer, sells only free-range eggs.

Add in Switzerland's elevated labour, land, feed and other costs, and it doesn't take a genius to work out why egg prices are so high in the country. 

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