Easter 2026: egg prices soar, up 27%. Here’s why they cost so much.

It is not just the usual holiday effect: the "egg price hike" that is hitting Italian tables ahead of Easter has deep and concerning roots. According to the latest analyses by Bmti (Italian Electronic Commodity Exchange) based on data from the National Unique Commission (Cun), prices have skyrocketed compared to the beginning of 2025: +27% for free-range eggs and +23% for cage eggs (category L).

The perfect storm: Avian Influenza and Gulf War

The current supply shortage is not an isolated phenomenon, but the result of a combination of critical factors:

The health emergency: The wave of avian influenza that swept across Europe during 2025 has drastically reduced the number of livestock, contracting overall production.

Energy shock: The recent outbreak of the Gulf War has triggered a new escalation in diesel and energy prices. A combination that, as reported by Assalzoo, weighs heavily on the feed and livestock supply chain, risking to fuel an inflationary spiral on all animal derivatives (milk, meat, and fish).

Rising consumption, but Italy is no longer self-sufficient

Despite high prices, eggs remain a "strategic commodity". Unaitalia notes that in 2025, demand in Italy grew by 7%, driven by excellent nutritional profiles and versatility in cooking. However, national production has remained virtually stagnant (+0.5%), forcing the country to rely more on imports:

The degree of self-sufficiency in Italy has dropped from 97% to 94%, with a simultaneous increase in imports of 9%.

The global scenario and "egg shocks"

Italy is not alone in this crisis. The entire world is facing the so-called "egg shocks".

USA and Japan: Severe supply shortages have driven prices up. In the United States, the crisis has been such that consumers have been prompted to replace traditional Easter eggs with creative alternatives like potatoes, candies, or marshmallows.

The appeal of the supply chain

The concrete risk is that the rise in raw material and energy costs will ultimately fall entirely on the pockets of families. For this reason, trade associations are calling for urgent measures to protect the spending capacity of citizens and ensure the stability of a sector that represents a pillar of the national diet.