It’s Not Just Eggs: 7 Other Key Foods That Could Also Disappear Soon

The US egg industry continues to grapple with the effects of avian influenza. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected a 41-percent increase in egg prices for 2025, revising its earlier forecast of a 20-percent rise. The escalation is attributed to the ongoing avian influenza crisis, which has severely impacted the nation’s egg-laying flocks, resulting in the culling of nearly 19 million birds as of January. Consequently, egg prices surged by 13.8 percent in January, following an 8.4-percent rise in December. 

The situation has forced retailers like Costco and Trader Joe’s to implement purchasing limits, while restaurant chains such as Waffle House have introduced per-egg surcharges to offset rising costs. The USDA expects egg prices to continue climbing, with no end in sight.

RELATED: From Climate Change to Bird Flu, Is the End of Meat Near?

In an attempt to mitigate the crisis, the US has turned to imports, primarily from Turkey, which is set to send a record 420 million eggs to the American market. However, industry experts warn that these imports will do little to offset the overall shortage. The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that while the influx of Turkish eggs may help stabilize supply temporarily, it will not be enough to counteract the long-term impact of avian influenza if outbreaks continue at their current pace. 

Additionally, the crisis has reignited scrutiny over the consolidation of the US egg industry, with critics arguing that a handful of major producers hold disproportionate control over pricing and supply. Despite efforts to ramp up domestic production, it could take months to replace lost flocks, making it likely that high egg prices—and potential scarcity—will persist throughout the year.

Critics also argue that the bird flu outbreak isn’t the sole factor driving prices up, noting substantial revenue and profit gains for major egg producers like Cal-Maine Foods. Federal efforts to address the crisis include a proposed $1 billion investment in biosecurity measures, yet a complete recovery of the egg supply may take up to six months. In the meantime, consumers are exploring creative alternatives for activities like Easter egg hunts.

Not just eggs: food staples in jeopardy

The egg shortage has highlighted vulnerabilities in our food supply chain. While avian flu has significantly impacted egg production, other essential food items are also at risk due to factors such as climate change, disease outbreaks, and environmental challenges. 

1Pears

The US is facing an impending pear shortage due to a devastating freeze in early 2024. Washington, the leading pear-producing state in the US, experienced significant winter weather that caused a 31-percent decrease in pear crop yield, making it the smallest harvest in 40 years. The Bosc pear crop, in particular, saw a 60-percent decline. This shortage is expected to drive up prices and limit availability. Additionally, pears that did survive may have a rust-colored ring called russet, which is a cosmetic issue but does not affect the taste. The smaller crop means fewer exports, primarily sent to Mexico and Canada. Although there are efforts to import pears from Argentina, the organic crop from there is also down. There is a possibility of a crop rebound due to warmer-than-expected winter weather, but it’s still uncertain. Despite challenges, Washington’s growers remain optimistic about delivering high-quality fruit. 

Dhanya Purohit

2Almonds

California’s almond industry, which supplies a significant portion of the world’s almonds, is confronting a crisis due to massive honeybee die-offs. Beekeepers have reported average losses of 62 percent from June 2024 to February 2025, with up to half of all delivered hives experiencing colony collapse. Almond trees rely heavily on honeybee pollination, and the shortage of healthy hives—estimated between 300,000 to 500,000—could severely impact almond yields. The exact causes of the bee die-offs remain under investigation, but potential factors include pesticides, parasites, and pathogens. The USDA has expressed concern over the implications for food supply and is actively analyzing samples to determine the root causes. Beekeepers face financial strain from lost income and the costs of replacing colonies, and a continued decline in bee populations could jeopardize not only almond production but also the pollination of other essential crops. 

3Coffee

Coffee lovers worldwide may soon face higher prices and diminished quality in their daily brew. The coffee industry is grappling with record-high futures prices, a situation exacerbated by severe droughts in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam. These climatic challenges have led to reduced harvests and disrupted global supply chains. Experts warn that such adverse weather events are likely to become more frequent due to climate change, posing ongoing threats to coffee cultivation. Companies like Folgers and Maxwell House have already increased their prices, and smaller roasters are also feeling the financial squeeze. The crisis is prompting a reevaluation of coffee cultivation and processing methods to adapt to changing environmental conditions, but without significant reductions in fossil fuel emissions, these adaptations may prove insufficient.

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4Cocoa

Chocolate is also becoming more expensive and less available. Cocoa production, primarily concentrated in West African countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, is threatened by rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns. These climatic changes have led to decreased yields and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture warns that if current trends continue, suitable cocoa-growing areas could diminish significantly by 2030, leading to potential shortages and higher prices for consumers.

5Potatoes

Potato chips, a staple snack in many households, have seen a nearly 50 percent price increase over the past decade, rising from $4.27 in 2015 to $6.47 in 2025. While inflation plays a role, climate change is a significant and often overlooked factor. Primary potato-growing states like Idaho and Washington have experienced warmer temperatures, which hinder potato growth. In Pennsylvania, home to numerous potato chip factories, elevated soil temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can halt potato development. To combat these challenges, agricultural researchers have developed potato varieties like the Lamoka, which are more resilient to changing conditions and resistant to diseases. However, the broader potato industry continues to face threats from environmental stressors linked to climate change. 

Karyna Panchenko | Pexels

6Wheat

Wheat, a cornerstone of diets worldwide, is increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions. Extreme weather events, including heatwaves and droughts, have led to significant yield reductions in key wheat-producing regions. For instance, the 2024 heatwave in the Southern Cone—affecting Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil—resulted in substantial declines in wheat production, contributing to global commodity price increases. Such climatic challenges not only diminish current yields but also threaten the stability of future wheat supplies, potentially leading to higher prices and food insecurity in regions dependent on wheat as a dietary staple. 

7Rice

Rice, a primary food source for more than half of the global population, is facing threats from changing climate patterns. Projections indicate that countries like Vietnam and Thailand could experience a 10-percent and 14-percent drop in rice production, respectively, by 2026 compared to 2018 levels. These declines are attributed to factors such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Such reductions in rice yields could have profound implications for global food security, especially in regions where rice is a dietary cornerstone.