New York (CNN Business) Americans are stockpiling eggs during the coronavirus crisis as they cook more meals at home. That's leading to supply shortages and a spike in prices at some supermarkets.

Walmart WMT Egg sales increased 44% for the week ending on March 14 compared with a year ago, according to the most recent Nielsen data.and other big grocers have implemented limits in recent days on purchases of eggs, cleaning supplies and other products that are in high demand from customers.

"Consumers are panic shopping and, much like we see ahead of a snow storm, they are purchasing staple items (milk, bread, toilet paper, and eggs). Except obviously this is on a national scale and for a much longer period of time," said Brian Moscogiuri, director and egg analyst at Urner Barry, a commodity market research firm.

Retailers are ordering up to six times their normal egg volumes and have depleted the supply that producers were beginning to build for Easter, he said. "Buyers have paid huge premiums to secure loads."

Wholesale egg prices have risen 180% since the beginning of March, according to Urner Barry, which publishes a daily benchmark for the industry.

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