ST. LOUIS – Egg prices are soaring nationwide, driven by relentless demand and a supply squeeze linked to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. As a result, grocers are scrambling to rethink how they stock and sell the everyday staple.

The St. Louis region, like much of the nation, is feeling the pinch. Various local, regional, and national grocery store chains around St. Louis have placed limits on egg purchases, at least on a temporary basis, in an effort to manage supply.

FOX 2 has learned that several St. Louis-area grocery stores have already restricted egg purchases, while others are monitoring the demand for eggs closely and have yet to decide on a company-wide restriction.

Which St. Louis-area grocers are limiting egg purchases?

SCHNUCKS

Schnucks, a four-state grocer with dozens of St. Louis-area stores, tells FOX 2 that it is currently limiting purchases. A company spokesperson sent this statement to FOX 2 on Wednesday:

“We know that current egg supply and pricing are concerning for our customers, and we thank them for their patience and understanding during this time.

Due to the effects of the Avian flu on the current national egg supply, like other retailers, Schnucks is temporarily limiting customers to the purchase of three cartons of eggs per day on all varieties.”

TRADER JOE’S

The Associated Press reports that Trader Joe’s is capping purchases to one carton of eggs per customer per day, company-wide. Trader Joe’s has St. Louis-area stores in Brentwood, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur and Des Peres.

COSTCO

FOX 2’s parent company Nexstar reports that Costco is capping purchases to three packages of eggs per customer per day, company-wide. Costco has St. Louis-area stores in Manchester, St. Peters, and University City.

WHOLE FOODS

Employees tell FOX 2 that Whole Foods is capping purchases to three cartons of eggs per customer per day. The limit is in effect for St. Louis-area stores in Central West End, Brentwood, and Town and Country.

WALMART

FOX 2’s parent company Nexstar reports that Walmart is capping purchases to a two-carton limit on 60-count cartons only, company-wide. Some stores may impose restrictions on egg purchases by dozens. Walmart has more than a dozen supercenter and neighborhood market stores in the St. Louis region.

KROGER/RULER FOODS

National Public Radio reports that Kroger has not implemented a limit nationally, but some of its stores have to two dozen eggs per customer per day. Kroger has St. Louis-area stores branded as Ruler Foods in St. Louis City, St. Ann, St. Charles, and Granite City.

ALDI

The Associated Press reports that ALDI has capped purchases for some stores, though there are no nationwide company limits in effect just yet. Some customers have reportedly seen limits of two cartons of eggs per customer per day. ALDI has more than a dozen locations in the St. Louis region. FOX 2’s efforts to confirm more information on ALDI’s local egg limits were unsuccessful.

No limits for one major St. Louis-area grocer (Right now)

Dierberg’s, primarily a St. Louis-area grocery store chain with dozens of locations, is currently not capping purchases on eggs company-wide. A company spokesperson sent this statement to FOX 2 on Wednesday:

“Demand for eggs is increasing, but we currently do not have a limit on egg purchases. We do offer Rewards Member pricing on eggs for deeper discounts.”