ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Prices Continue to Decline, Though Late-Week Buying Slows Pace

Cage-free egg values continued to slide this week, with wholesale prices falling to $3.16/dozen—a 15% drop from the previous week. While this May has followed a “typical” seasonal pattern for the egg market, subtle changes have begun to emerge as the week progresses—developments not uncommon in late Q2 that hint at a possible turn in the recent market trajectory.

May is traditionally one of the weakest months for shell egg demand, and this year has been no exception...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Erosion Accelerates as Buying Interest Fades

Cage-free values continue to decline sharply, dropping 68cts over the past week. While cage-free transactional values had recently been under pressure, the conventional market had provided some support to the broader category through down-packing flexibility. That dynamic has now shifted, as seasonal trends take hold and the entire egg market faces widespread downward pressure. 

The primary driver behind cage-free weakness is soft retail demand. Retailers—especially in California and other states with mandatory cage-free laws—have shown reluctance to put eggs on feature...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Strains Under Retail Price Pressure

Cage-free egg values continue to slide, diverging from the recent strength in negotiated values seen in the conventional market. Demand remains subdued nationwide, especially along the West Coast, where mandatory cage-free states like California, Oregon, and Washington are experiencing limited consumer interest amid elevated shelf prices.

With prices hovering at $5.50/dozen or higher among most retail chains out West, many consumers appear unwilling to pay up. While a few membership-club type stores offer more competitive pricing, their limited accessibility means most consumers don’t benefit. As a result, most retailers are ordering more conservatively, reducing the need to replenish inventory. This has led to a buildup in available offerings and added downward pressure to the market...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Dynamics Hint at Transition, but Market Remains Soft

The cage-free egg market continues to experience modest downward pressure this week, although a shift in negotiated values is beginning to take shape.

Since late February, cage-free quotations have been on the decline, falling by more than 50% from a record high of $9.86/dozen to $4.92/dozen as of Thursday. This decline has been predominantly driven by a significant reduction in consumer demand, influenced by price sensitivity among shoppers.

At the market’s peak, Circana scanner data reported the average...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Facing Pressure Despite Easter 

Wholesale cage-free egg prices continue to decline, with a 34ct drop recorded over the past seven days. This ongoing slide comes during Easter—typically a key seasonal driver for the category—but this year, elevated pricing and minimal promotional activity have significantly dampened consumer interest.

Demand has softened over the past seven weeks, as shelf prices often hovering at or above $5.00/dozen have prompted more cautious shopping behavior. In response, most retailers have scaled back orders to match slower movement, resulting in a buildup of inventory in...

ANALYSIS: US Cage-Free Egg Prices Under Pressure Amid Weak Retail Demand

After a brief period of stability, the cage-free shell egg market is once again facing downward pressure amid sluggish retail demand. Prices, which had held steady for more than a week, have slipped by 6cts over the past two days as orders remain tepid despite widespread adjustments to shelf prices—often by as much as a dollar.

While the USDA’s Weekly Retail Egg Feature Report shows a 2.6% uptick in promotional activity, no cage-free cartons have been featured, limiting...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Slows Descent, First Signs of Consumer Relief Underway

Expana’s cage-free large quotation has continued to decline this week, albeit at a slower pace to last, dropping to $5.83/dozen Thursday. This marks a 41% decrease since the market peaked at $9.86/dozen in late February.

Weak retail demand remains the primary force behind declining wholesale values, as inflation-weary consumers continue to push back against high shelf prices. In response, grocers have scaled back their orders to better align with sluggish sales, leaving suppliers scrambling to offload surplus inventory. As recently as... 

ANALYSIS: US Cage-Free Egg Prices Plummet Amid Consumer Pushback

Cage-free egg prices are retreating considerably, closely tracking the steep declines in the conventional market. Expana's cage-free white large soared to a record high of $9.86/dozen in late February before plunging to $6.93 per dozen—and the slide does not appear to be over, as demand is faltering under the weight of historically elevated pricing.

Retail demand for cage-free eggs had surged in recent months, largely driven by contract-based pricing, commonly used in this category. Retailers scrambled to secure...

Pennsylvania State Police Investigating Egg Heist

Pennsylvania State Police are working to crack the case of a large egg heist, reported Fox News. Approximately 100,000 eggs were stolen from the rear portion of a Pete & Gerry’s Organics distribution center in Antrim Township, PA just south of Greencastle. 

The number of eggs stolen would be roughly one-third of a full load, according to Ryan Hojnowski, an Egg Market Reporter for Expana. 

This news comes at a time when egg prices are setting and breaking all-time highs almost weekly. Largely, the high price of this staple kitchen commodity...

The Shift to Cage-Free Egg Production in the EU

The European Cage-Free Egg Commitment marks a transformative era in animal welfare and corporate responsibility within the food industry. This movement, fuelled by rising consumer demand for ethical practices and advocacy from animal rights organizations, is redefining egg production across Europe. Leading retailers, producers, and food service providers have pledged to eliminate caged systems, setting a new standard for sustainability and ethical agriculture.

The European Union has achieved substantial milestones in the transition to cage-free egg production, with over 50% of laying hens...