Roughly 100,000 eggs worth $40,000 were stolen from a trailer in Pennsylvania — theft comes as egg prices have nearly doubled in 1 year. Here's how to avoid shell shock

"We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible," the egg producer said in a statement released to media outlets.

The theft has drawn plenty of attention as the nation grapples with sky-high egg prices, which is putting pressure on consumers and business owners alike.

Surging egg costs

A wave of avian flu is largely being blamed for a shortage of eggs, which has caused prices to skyrocket.

Prices can vary depending on what part of the country you live in, however, the consumer price index pegged the value of a dozen large eggs at $6.23 as of February. That's up from $2.99 a year prior and $5.90 in February.

The rising cost of eggs has led many diners and bodegas across America to raise prices — in some cases adding a surcharge per egg — and remind staff to handle inventory with care.

"My cooks, they all know — do not break an egg. Be very gentle," Gizelle Bruggemann, who runs The Pelican Restaurant in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, told WPTV News in a story posted Feb. 4. "They are the most expensive thing on the menu right now."

Some restaurant owners who are reluctant to raise menu prices are seeking different distributors.

How you can limit the impact

Relief may not come any time soon for businesses and consumers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts, as of March. 25, the price of eggs will rise over 57% in 2025, while the price of food overall is expected to go up a little over 3%.