USA Vs Mexico: Who Has Cheaper Eggs Right Now?
Thanks to the ongoing threat of bird flu, high egg prices are stressing consumers out nationwide. As supplies get constrained and even Waffle House raises the price of egg dishes, American shoppers can't help but wonder if they're the only ones paying high prices for eggs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of a dozen large eggs was USD$4.15 in December 2024 — a whopping 37% higher than the previous year. In even more bad news, a prediction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is that it will rise another 20% by the end of this year.
According to available data, the price for a dozen white eggs in Mexican supermarkets can vary between MX$53 and $70 — between USD$2.58 and $3.40. Some expat websites list the average price for a dozen at USD$2.44, while one YouTuber recently posted a video of them finding eggs as low as USD$1.84 per dozen in a Walmart in Cancun.
The answer is unequivocally that Mexico has cheaper eggs right now than the U.S. But this is partially due to consumer price ceilings that were put in place by the Mexican government.
Groceries are often less expensive in Mexico
As any American who travels to Mexico can tell you, most grocery store goods are significantly less expensive than in the U.S. This includes eggs, even at a time of record high prices. The reasons for this are multifaceted, but a large factor is the lower cost of labor when compared to the U.S.
Mexicans in Mexico, however, are feeling the pinch in their wallets just like American consumers. In November, the government announced price controls on a number of grocery staples, extending a previous measure – that also included limits on egg prices. This is to ensure that the average consumer can afford their groceries.
However, for the enterprising consumer in either the U.S. or Mexico, shopping around and buying in bulk are just two of a handful of ways you can unlock the lowest egg prices possible. Or, if you want the freshest eggs with the lowest cost, some people are even buying their own chickens.