Pennsylvania egg heist: 100,000 eggs stolen from distribution facility

A significant theft of organic eggs occurred in Pennsylvania, with approximately 100,000 eggs stolen from a facility in Greencastle, located just north of the Maryland border.

The stolen eggs, valued at around USD 40,000, were taken from a distribution trailer during the evening of Saturday, according to a police report.

The incident comes amid rising wholesale egg prices and reports of shortages across the country. Megan Frazer, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, stated in an email that the investigation is ongoing, urging residents to come forward with any leads. She noted that such a large-scale theft involving food is “extremely rare.”

This incident attracted national attention, especially considering the current spike in retail egg prices due to an avian flu outbreak.

According to food market research firm Expana, wholesale prices for a dozen Midwest Large eggs recently surged to USD 7.76, a dramatic increase from about USD 1.50 in early January 2022.

Retail consumers are also feeling the impact, with the average retail egg price rising by 37 percent between December 2023 and December 2024, according to consumer price index data.

Since the outbreak of avian flu was first detected in 2022, about 110 million egg-laying hens have died or been culled in efforts to curb the virus's spread.

Experts predict that prices may not decrease until May, as it will take time for new hens to be raised and start laying eggs, with the possibility of renewed exposure to the virus from migratory birds in the spring.