Why are egg prices so high?

[milkandcookies]

Has anyone noticed a big spike in egg prices the last couple of weeks? Why is this happening and is it a short or long term thing? I've seen a 50% increase in price for the brand I usually buy, and I eat alot of eggs.

[cooliemae]

I've seen the price of eggs go from .99/dz up to 1.79/dz (up down and sideways over the last couple of weeks)in Northern WI, but I don't usually have a problem finding a sale on eggs for .99/dz.

[hamchan]

It has to do with law changes about how much space the chickens must have in their factory farm cages.

[marvholly]

Egg prices were driving me nutso too. Most stores were at or pushing $2, even Aldi.

Now they have started to drop. Two weeks ago a local store had XL for $1.29. Last ween another independent local store was 0.99. this week Jewel (Albertson's) has a weekend special of 0.69-2 dz limit.

There is hope out there. Chicken prices seem to be coming down a bit too. Whole birds have been on special for UNDER $1/lb at different stores over the past few weeks.

[bjl584]

Part of it is because of the new law in California that requires farmers to give their chickens more space in the coops.

Less chickens per coop = less egg produced = higher egg prices.

[rennigade]

Part of it is because of the new law in California that requires farmers to give their chickens more space in the coops.

Less chickens per coop = less egg produced = higher egg prices.

If this is the case then im ok with paying a higher price. Factory farming is pretty horrific...and this is coming from someone who harvests deer on a yearly basis...and by harvest I mean killing them with a bullet.

Costco's egg prices fluctuate. Sometimes its around $5 for a pack of 36 eggs...other times its $6.50 for a pack of 36. Either way I pay it since I eat eggs every morning.

[HappySaver]

I pay $4 - $5 for a dozen eggs at the farmers market. Well worth it. There is a huge difference in taste and quality of the eggs.

Thank you Rennigade - I do believe most people would be horrified by what happens in large-scale facilities if they knew, and are willing to pay a few extra cents for more humane practices. Businesses being what they are, however, they will take advantage of the law as an excuse to raise prices higher than is actually needed to cover their "losses".

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'd hope one of our participants who raise chickens would put in a word here, but I'll point out that it is normal for chickens to lay far fewer eggs in winter. To get them to continue laying costs money. Increased light has to be provided to compensate for short day length. Increased nutrition has to be provided. Like human beings, laying chickens have to be provided some winter warmth, some heating of the cage houses. So even without farmers converting cages to have slightly more room, it is normal for egg prices to rise in winter.

[rennigade]

Also to clarify...do not buy eggs that state they are "free range." It has absolutely no meaning and a huge waste of money. According to the usda...free range means that chickens must have access to the outdoors for 15 minutes per day. They dont have to actually go outside to be branded with this label...they just need the option to.

Now...if you can find eggs labeled pasture raised...thats chickens who are outside the majority of time, on actual grass. Those are the real premium eggs.

[jbs]

Even though the law is for California, they are requiring the changes for all egg producers to sell their eggs in California. Since it's such a huge market, this could affect other states beyond California as well.

[rennigade]

edit...went to costco today and picked up a pack of eggs (36 eggs in a pack.) They were $3.99. A couple months ago they were above $6.

[LuckyRobin]

Since we raise our own chickens and ducks for eggs, I don't generally pay attention to egg prices in the store. But I do know that there have been several confirmed cases of avian flu in the country where flocks have had to be slaughtered, so I reckon that might have to do with higher prices, too, since so many birds have been taken out of production. Also, of course, this time of year is a downturn in the natural laying cycle of chickens. Production drops drastically without artificial light inputs during November through February. While pullets will generally lay now, any bird over 1 will be less likely to lay much, maybe 2 to 3 days a week as opposed to 7.

[Leo]

My local Food for Less sells 12pc of egg now for $3.39. Last week it was $1.99

[mom-from-missouri]

I raise chickens. Corn prices went up--we throw ours corn and feed in winter, thus the price went up for the eggs. During the spring-summer and fall, ours free range on bugs.