Buying Eggs in Bulk: Case Sizes, Pack Formats, and How to Order

Buying eggs at wholesale isn’t complicated, but if you’ve never done it before, the format options can feel like a lot. Dozens, 18-packs, 2.5 dozen trays, loose flats, full cases. Each format exists for a reason, and the right one depends on what kind of business you’re running.

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how wholesale eggs are packaged, which format fits which operation, and how to get started ordering.

The Most Common Pack Formats

12-pack cartons are the classic retail format. If you run a grocery store, deli, or convenience store, this is what your customers expect to see on the shelf. They’re easy to stack, easy to label, and easy for shoppers to grab and go.

18-pack cartons are popular with families and also work well for small restaurants that want the convenience of a carton but need a few extra eggs per unit. They take up slightly more shelf space but move fast in stores that cater to larger households.

2.5 dozen trays (30 eggs) are a middle ground between retail cartons and full loose flats. Some delis and prepared-food kitchens prefer this size because it’s enough for a day’s production without taking up the space of a full case.

Loose flats and full cases (15 dozen / 180 eggs) are the standard for high-volume kitchens. Bakeries, diners, hotel kitchens, and catering operations typically buy loose because they’re cracking eggs all day and don’t need retail packaging. A full case of 15 dozen is the most cost-effective way to buy.

Which Format Fits Your Business

If you sell eggs to customers who take them home, you want cartons. Period. The 12-pack is standard for most grocery and deli shelves. The 18-pack works well if your customer base skews toward families or you want to offer a slightly better per-egg value.

If you crack eggs in a kitchen, loose is almost always the way to go. You save money on packaging, you reduce waste, and you can grab a flat off the shelf and start working without fussing with carton lids. This is what most bakeries, breakfast restaurants, and institutional kitchens order.

Not sure which format is right? Start with what matches your daily usage. A small café making 40 breakfast plates a day might do fine with 2.5 dozen trays. A bakery running through 300 eggs before noon needs full cases.

ECEF’s Ordering Minimums

At East Coast Egg Farmers, our minimum order is just two cases. That keeps things accessible for smaller operations while still making delivery efficient. We deliver across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, and most orders arrive next day.

We carry all the formats listed above, plus specialty packs for quail and duck eggs. If you need a mix of formats on the same delivery, we can handle that too.

How to Place an Order

The easiest way to get started is to call us at (201) 609-9986. Tell us what you need, how much, and how often, and we’ll set up a delivery schedule. You can also reach out through our website. We work with first-time buyers every week, so don’t worry if you’re new to wholesale. We’ll walk you through the options and help you find the right fit.