Commercially available eggs pass through testing, grading and inspection, with extra layers of protection in California, specifically.

The price of eggs at U.S. grocery stores has climbed to a record high, nearly doubling from a year ago, as outbreaks of bird flu have led to shortages by wiping out millions of hens.

As the ongoing bird influenza continues to devastate the nation’s egg production, Turkey plans to export eggs into the U.S. through July in a preliminary agreement reached between the two nations.

Ever-rising egg prices, supply shortages, egg thefts and reports of bodegas selling loose eggs confirm strong demand for the kitchen staple even as avian flu infects and kills more of the birds that produce them.

People are trying to smuggle eggs across the southern border, authorities said, as prices continue to increase amid a shortage caused by the bird flu.

Breakfast restaurants all over Fresno routinely serve up that many eggs and are reeling from the cost. Bird flu, also known as H5N1 avian flu, is driving the price increase, caused by an egg shortage as millions of chickens are killed in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.