Egg Heist Exposes Supply Chain Fragility: Avian Flu, Theft, and the $40K Vulnerability

Thieves stole 100,000 eggs worth $40K from a Pennsylvania distributor, spotlighting critical gaps in food supply chains amid avian flu-driven shortages and record price surges.

In a brazen night time operation on February 1, thieves pilfered 100,000 organic eggs—valued at $40,000—from a Pete & Gerry’s Organics distribution trailer in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, marking one of the largest food heists in recent U.S. history 26. The theft underscores systemic vulnerabilities in supply chain security as industries grapple with avian influenza outbreaks, inflation, and surging demand.  The U.S. egg industry is reeling from a catastrophic avian flu resurgence, which has culled over 14.7 million egg-laying hens since January 2025 alone. This has driven wholesale egg prices to $7.79 per dozen in the Midwest, a 160% increase since 2019, with the USDA forecasting an additional 20% spike by year-end. Restaurants like Waffle House have imposed a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge to offset costs, reflecting a supply chain at breaking point.

The heist’s scale—equivalent to 8,333 cartons—reveals glaring security gaps. Eggs are typically transported in unsecured trailers, making them easy targets. Pete & Gerry’s acknowledged the breach and pledged enhanced surveillance, but the incident highlights a broader industry blind spot: high-value, perishable goods remain underprotected. Karyn Rispoli, an egg market analyst at Expana, notes that a full trailer of eggs can hold up to $200,000 in inventory, yet few distributors invest in real-time tracking or anti-theft tech.