The Average American Eats A Staggering Number Of Eggs Per Year
If you were to guess how many eggs the average American eats per year at, say, 100, you'd be off by approximately 180 eggs. The most recent USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report found that the average American consumed 279 eggs in 2022; projections for 2023 are even higher, up to 285 eggs per person.
These numbers have increased by 6% since 2016, the year following when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dropped the stance they'd held since the '80s for cholesterol limits. The lowest point of egg consumption was in 1991, when the average American ate 229 that year. These old recommendations, which were so low that a single egg contained twice the limit, were dismissed due to insufficient scientific evidence for the specific numbers. These days, medical wisdom from the American Heart Association says that not all cholesterol is bad cholesterol, and the nutrient-packed egg is, in fact, good for you. These numbers are still nothing compared to 1945, which saw a whopping 404 eggs eaten per person on average, though their consumption continues to trend up.
Eggs in the face of inflation
Now, you might be saying: "Eggs? In this economy?" As if this is the new reason, alongside avocado toast and lattes, Millennials (roughly 30- to 40-year-old adults) can't afford real estate. However, U.S. egg prices are dropping from a recent high point of 280.9% inflation in November of 2022, when the total inflated cost of all farm products averaged only 26.8%, and an average retail price high point in January 2023 of $4.82 per dozen.
What's causing the eggs-orbitant prices? In part, a prolonged outbreak of avian flu; in December 2022, right before that January 2023 spike in retail price, the U.S. egg inventory was 29% lower than at the beginning of the year. Spikes in grain costs for chicken feed remain elevated, in no small part because of the reduced global grain availability because of Russia's war in Ukraine, which generally supplies 10% of wheat, 15% of corn, and 13% of barley to the world.
And unfortunately, the big corporations running distribution and grocery stores are capitalizing on the expectation of high food prices. While consumers are really feeling the budget hit, the nation's largest egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods, saw doubled revenue and a 718% surge in profits because of egg price gouging. Congress introduced a bill in March 2022 to address price gouging, but it has been unable to progress in a highly partisan environment. So although April 2023 prices dropped to $3.27 per dozen, eggs will likely remain pricey.
Egg recipes for every day
Since Americans are apparently eating what amounts to an egg a day for 41 weeks of the year, it's worth making sure they stay exciting. Even if you know 101 ways to cook an egg (which will get you 35% of the way), learning a few more can't hurt.
If you're already a fan of shakshuka, a North African and Middle Eastern preparation of eggs poached or baked in a spiced tomato sauce, you probably have that method of cooking an egg well down. For a similar vibe, you can try your hand at a pesto asparagus eggs skillet, which is a beautiful, spring-forward way of getting eggs and vegetables in as a midday main dish.
For something kinda Tex-Mex and homestyle, make a breakfast casserole. Layer sweet potato fries, scrambled eggs, a baked chicken cutlet, salsa, and shredded cheese into a casserole dish and attempt to answer that age-old question about the chicken and the egg.
If you're trying to eat out less, you don't have to miss out on your favorite restaurant egg dishes. Longing for Egg McMuffins? It's easy to make them at home. The same is true if you're craving The Cheesecake Factory's green chilaquiles with carnitas and eggs. Red Lobster fans, meanwhile, might consider whipping up a cheddar bay biscuit bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Now you just have to find 184 more recipes to keep your egg dishes fresh this year — time to get cracking.