A new price outlook from the United States Department of Agriculture doesn’t predict that egg prices will drop anytime soon, and New Jersey shoppers aren’t happy about it.

The humble and versatile refrigerator staple has become a sticker shock item - if customers can find them. Shoppers in Paramus reported empty shelves at their local Trader Joe’s. Those in Wyckoff called it “egg-flation” and “a luxury item.”

A national bird flu outbreak is behind the shortage. Although there haven’t been any reported cases in New Jersey, it has made it to a Long Island duck farm and backyard flocks in two Connecticut counties.

More than 8 million birds have died from this in January nationwide, which retailers say has led to a supply chain shortage, and higher prices.

Shoppers at a Wyckoff ShopRite reported it costs $7.50 for a dozen store-brand eggs. That’s 80% higher than what the USDA is reporting as the national average, but in line with the current New York market average.

Some shoppers said it’s scrambling their lists. Others said they have considered heading to a local farm, or even farming their own.

According to the Consumer Price Index, egg prices are up more than 36% from a year ago.