NEW YORK – Consumers may soon be in for egg "sticker shock," reports CNBC.

The news source says that limited supply, due to the worst avian flu outbreak in 30 years, has already caused egg prices to rise sharply this year. BB&T Capital Markets analyst Brett Hundley adds that retail prices could surge even higher, noting that $6 for a dozen "would not surprise" him if the bird flu returns later this fall.

"It's almost scary to think about what could happen to egg prices," Hundley told the news source.

Midwest wholesale egg prices have risen 135%to $2.80 per dozen as of last week, up from $1.19 per dozen on April 22. "It's really a day-to-day market," Brian Moscogiuri, market reporter for eggs and egg prices at Urner Barry, told CNBC. "It's been very volatile and unpredictable, for sure." 

While the Midwest has borne the brunt of avian flu's impact, BB&T suggests that the bird flu could hit the Southeast by October or November as wild birds carrying the disease migrate to the area.

Some foodservice chains have already responded to the egg shortage by changing menu options. For example, CBNC notes that Panda Express is testing a version of its fried rice that incorporates corn instead of eggs. In July, Rita's Italian Ice announced that it would no longer serve frozen custard due to an egg shortage, replacing it with soft-serve ice cream. "We will bring back our award-winning Frozen Custard as soon as we know that we have access to a sustainable supply of eggs," said the company.