Let’s talk about eggs.
Yes, eggs. The humble breakfast MVP. The ingredient that makes your cornbread fluffy and your budget meals survivable. The thing that used to be $1.79 for a dozen and is now, for some ungodly reason, closer to $7 depending on the week and your zip code.
If you’ve found yourself standing in the grocery store staring at a carton like it’s a luxury item, just know: you are not alone. And also—you’re not imagining things. Something is seriously messed up.
Let’s break this down, because the truth is:
you’re not bad at money. You’re living in a rigged game.
The Real Reason Eggs Are Expensive (Spoiler: It’s Not You)
So what did happen to eggs? There are a few surface-level reasons, like:
- Avian flu outbreaks reducing supply
- Higher feed and fuel prices
- Supply chain disruptions
Okay, sure. Those things are real. But they’re also temporary and not the reason corporate profits are hitting record highs while your fridge is empty.
Here’s what’s actually going on:
Corporations are using every excuse to raise prices—and they’re not lowering them again. Because why would they? They don’t care if you can’t afford breakfast. They care if their shareholders can buy another yacht.
Let’s look at egg producers specifically:
In 2022, Cal-Maine Foods (the largest egg producer in the U.S.) reported a 718% increase in profits during the height of the egg price hike. Not sales. Profits.
And no, that wasn’t all spent on bird vaccines or worker pay. That was corporate-level price-gouging, plain and simple.
This isn’t just an egg thing. It’s a capitalism thing. Corporations are taking advantage of global instability—COVID, war, inflation, supply issues—to jack up prices because they can. And no one’s stopping them.
So yeah. Your rage? Totally valid. And 100% free.
It’s Not Just Eggs. It’s Everything.
Let’s look at your grocery cart.
- Milk? Up.
- Bread? Up.
- Pasta? UP.
- Toilet paper? Somehow still expensive and still sucks.
And what do you hear in response? “Cut back. Budget better. Stop buying Starbucks.”
First of all, who the hell is buying Starbucks when eggs cost seven damn dollars? Second—how do you “cut back” when there’s nothing left to cut?
This advice comes from people who think not buying a third kayak is the same as budgeting.
Let me be blunt: the problem is not your spending habits. The problem is systemic.
Wages have barely moved in decades. Prices are climbing like they’re in a CrossFit competition. And the people making the decisions? They’re doing just fine, thanks.
Corporate Greed: The Gasoline on This Trash Fire
Here’s where it gets even more infuriating.
While we’re rationing eggs and praying rent doesn’t go up again, corporations are celebrating with record profits. And they’re not even subtle about it.
In earnings calls (those behind-the-scenes meetings with investors), execs are straight-up admitting they’re using “inflation” and “supply chain issues” as an excuse to raise prices more than necessary. They’re not trying to break even—they’re using this chaos to profit off your desperation.
And the media? Politicians?
Most of them are too cozy with big money to call it what it is.
You’ve got people blaming inflation on workers wanting to get paid a living wage. Like how dare someone want $16 an hour to stock shelves while gas hits $5 a gallon?
Meanwhile, CEOs are making 300-400x more than the people actually doing the work.
Yeah. Seems fair.
The Real Divide: It’s Class, Not Race or Gender or Whatever Distraction They Throw Next
Here’s the part they really don’t want you thinking about:
This isn’t about race. It’s not about gender. It’s not about red vs. blue or city vs. rural.
It’s about rich vs. poor.
Us vs. the people who profit from us staying tired, underpaid, and in debt.
Because while we’re yelling at each other over TikToks or Target displays, the ultra-wealthy are laughing all the way to the bank. They want us distracted. They want us blaming our neighbor instead of the system.
Here’s the truth:
- Poor Black folks.
- Poor white folks.
- Poor immigrants.
- Poor single moms.
- Poor veterans.
- Poor queer folks.
We’re all standing in the same damn grocery store, staring at the same overpriced eggs.
The struggle is shared. So is the anger.
Let’s stop aiming it sideways.
“Shrinkflation” is Theft in Disguise
You know what else is fun? Paying the same price (or more) for less.
Cereal boxes? Smaller.
Chips? More air than snack.
Toilet paper rolls? I’ve seen better napkins.
This sneaky little tactic is called shrinkflation, and it’s basically corporate theft with a friendly smile. They think we won’t notice if the bag looks the same. (We noticed. We just can’t do anything about it yet.)
And they’re not going to stop unless they’re forced to. Because again—they’re not lowering prices. Not unless we fight back.
So What Do We Do?
Let’s be honest: we can’t coupon our way out of this.
But we can survive. We can support each other. We can get loud. And we can get organized.
Here’s what surviving looks like right now:
- Share resources. If you find a local food pantry, free meal service, or low-cost store—tell your people.
- Mutual aid is powerful. Forget waiting on trickle-down scraps. Communities helping each other works.
- Vote local, and vote smart. The rich want us to think voting doesn’t matter. It does—especially when it comes to housing, wages, and who gets tax breaks.
- Call out corporate BS when you see it. Don’t let them pretend this is your fault.
And most importantly: don’t turn your anger inward.
You’re not failing.
You’re functioning under a system that’s failing you.
Every time you make a meal out of nothing, stretch your last $10, or help someone else despite being broke yourself—you’re doing something radical.
Final Thought: Eggs Shouldn’t Be a Luxury
Food shouldn’t be a luxury. Neither should heat, housing, or healthcare.
But here we are, in the richest country in the world, and a whole lot of us are choosing between protein and gas. Between rent and phone service. Between medicine and groceries.
It’s exhausting. It’s unfair. And it’s not your fault.
So yeah—eggs cost $7.
And my rage? Still free. Still fierce. And still very much justified.