¡°I used to buy them for 1.99, 2.99, but no, the prices are crazy.¡±​

At the US-Mexico border reports of egg 5smuggling. US customs officials say attempts to bring eggs into the US from Mexico are rising. The director of field operations warns trying to cross with 6uncooked eggs without informing a border official is 7illegal and it could cost you up to 10,000 dollars.​ A shortage of eggs partly caused by the 8avian flu has 9wiped out millions of 10egg-laying 11hens and led to empty store shelves and skyrocketing prices up nearly 60 percent in a year.

¡°For two dozen it¡¯s gonna be $22. So, I¡¯m, I¡¯m not gonna make it with my budget. No.¡±​

So when will we see some relief from 12eggflation? Economist Mark Zandi says the shortages go beyond bird flu, saying fuel and transportation costs are also 13contributing to higher costs of food in general.

¡°But the good news is that oil prices have come down. By this time next year certainly, we¡¯ll feel a lot better about food inflation and inflation more broadly.¡±

But some people aren¡¯t waiting to see a price correction at the grocery store. And instead of 14scrambling to find eggs, they¡¯re raising their own backyard hens.

¡°So we¡¯re saving a lot having them in the backyard right now.¡±