Local restaurants feel the effects of rising egg costs

SALISBURY, Md. – Egg prices continue to skyrocket as local restaurants continue to feel the impacts of inflation.

Every crack of an egg, now more expensive than ever.

“Normally [for] 30 dozen eggs, we pay 30 to 40 dollars four months ago. Now the price has gone up $185 dollars, only 30 dozen eggs. I’m using 15 cases of eggs at my store,” said Matt Kopal, Owner of the Bury Diner.

Kopal is one of the many restaurant owners feeling the effects.

“That means big hurt [for] my business,” said Kopal.

The latest consumer price index shows the price of eggs up nearly 37 percent from one year ago.

In addition, the average cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs reached $4.15 in December.

“But they say it might be getting the next couple weeks up to $250,” said Kopal.

And those costs could rise even more in 2025 with cases of bird flu circling the shore, affecting commercial and backyard flocks.

“You can’t account for when things are going to go up and down, but we don’t want to outprice our customers, so we still want to give good products, but not at an astronomical price so it’s definitely impactful,” said Together Cafe Owner Vicente Hernandez.

Hernandez said he is taking a wait and see approach before implementing any cost changes in menu items.

“If they go up even more astronomical than they are now, of course we’ll have to make changes but for right now, we’re just riding the wave and seeing how things go,” he said.

Bury Diner Owner Matt Kopal also says he’s giving it a few more months before making any changes to his menu.