Easter eggs reflect inflation and tariffs

For many families in Troy, Easter is a time of celebration and tradition, but this year, it's also a time of difficult choices.

Shoppers are finding more than just goodies in their baskets; they're also finding inflation.

“"Eggs used to be 50 cents,” said Rod Rutledge, a Troy local. “I can't tell you the exact price, but I know you can go get 12 eggs now for $4.

“When I was born in 1988, you could get a dozen eggs for a couple cents. To go from a couple of cents to $4 is just crazy.”

Some say eggs are a pivotal part of Easter, whether it be for consuming or coloring.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the average cost of a dozen eggs hit a record high of $6.32 in March of 2025.

Despite the high prices of eggs caused by the bird flu epidemic, Piggly Wiggly says its egg prices are relatively low.

“"We had our Eggsland Best eggs that never even went up in cost,” said Piggly Wiggly Assistant Manager Jonathan Richard. “The dozen never went over $3.

“The 18 pack also stayed in the low four-dollar range. Eggsland Best gets their eggs from their own farmers, so they're not as expensive.

When we could get the Eggsland Best, they offered a very affordable selection.”

Piggly Wiggly also has a different pricing policy than most other major retailers.

“Our shelf price is what it costs us to get the item to the shelf,” Richard said. “Then we have an additional ten percent that is our surcharge for our overhead.

“So, whereas other companies don't tell you what percentage they're making on the product, we tell you it's the flat ten percent.”

While eggs may be a top priority for some this Easter, consumers are also interested in other items.

Garrett Harmon, a junior majoring in social science education, shared what Easter foods he enjoys.

“I grew up in a southern family so all of our holiday meals consist of homemade southern dishes like turkey, dressing, mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole,” Harmon said.

While Easter is caught in the sight of high prices, some feel that it's not about the merchandise; it's about celebration and the ones you spend it with.