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Abstract
Between 2022 and 2025, egg
prices in the United States
rose sharply, reaching an
average of $5.90 per dozen
in early 2025 due to compounded
effects from Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza (HPAI), inflation,
regulatory changes, and supply
chain constraints. This systematic
review synthesizes consumer
behavioral responses to egg
price volatility and limited
availability, focusing on
income-level disparities,
ethnic and regional differences,
and substitution strategies.
Following PRISMA guidelines,
41 peer-reviewed studies,
market surveys, and government
reports (2020–2025) were
reviewed, with emphasis on
California and Nevada due
to their contrasting socioeconomic
and regulatory environments.
Key findings reveal that lower-income
households in both states
disproportionately reduced
egg consumption or substituted
with lower-cost protein alternatives
such as legumes, canned fish,
or nut butters. In contrast,
high-income and urban populations
shifted to plant-based commercial
egg alternatives. Ethnic minority
communities, particularly
Black and Hispanic populations,
showed greater price sensitivity
and were more likely to modify
food purchasing habits. Media
exposure further shaped consumer
sentiment, with reports of
panic buying and perceived
scarcity. Findings highlight
the need for improved public
education on affordable, nutritionally
equivalent substitutes and
equitable food policy interventions
to mitigate future disruptions
in protein access.
Keywords
Egg inflation, egg shortage,
consumer behavior,
\protein substitution, California
food access,
Nevada food insecurity, PRISMA
review.
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