100,000 eggs were stolen from a trailer in Pennsylvania, USA police say

A theft occurred in central Pennsylvania, with approximately 100,000 eggs stolen from the back of a delivery trailer. Authorities have stated that they are currently investigating the incident. Egg prices have been nearing record highs in some areas due to supply shortages caused by outbreaks of avian flu, further exacerbating the situation.

According to a report by the Pennsylvania State Police, the stolen eggs were valued at approximately $54,000 (40,000 pounds) and were taken on Saturday night at Pete & Gerry's Organics egg producer in Greencastle. The sheer scale of the theft has prompted a thorough investigation by local law enforcement.

Pete & Gerry's released a statement to CNN on Tuesday, saying, "Pete & Gerry's is aware of the recent incident that occurred in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and we are actively cooperating with local law enforcement in their investigation." The company is committed to assisting authorities in recovering the stolen goods and preventing future occurrences.

The statement also indicated, "We take this matter very seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further on the matter." The company is focusing on working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the safety of their products.

The egg industry has faced significant challenges in recent months, with renewed outbreaks of avian influenza leading to the deaths of millions of laying hens. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly half of the poultry deaths attributed to the virus in 2024 occurred in November and December, highlighting the severity of the recent outbreaks.

The national average price of eggs became a hot topic in the United States leading up to the November presidential election, with consumers and restaurants continuing to feel the pressure of reduced supply and increased prices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of a dozen large, grade A eggs in the U.S. in December was $6.60 ($4.15 pounds), up from $5.81 ($3.65 pounds) in November, demonstrating a significant month-over-month increase.

According to the Consumer Price Index, egg prices rose more than 36% year-over-year in December. Waffle House, a restaurant ubiquitous in the American South, posted notices in its restaurants stating that it would charge an additional 79 cents (50 pence) per egg due to "increased national egg costs." The restaurant said in a statement to CNN that the surcharge was due to ongoing egg shortages. The statement also noted that the surcharge would be adjusted or removed based on market conditions, suggesting a flexible approach to managing the fluctuating costs.