ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Market Momentum Shifts; First Gains Since Late November

The cage-free market has begun to show upward momentum this week, marking its first upward adjustment in nearly two months. After a prolonged period defined by surplus production and muted demand nationwide, a shift in buying needs—driven largely by aggressive retail promotions—has injected a more bullish tone into the category.

Retail demand, particularly along the West Coast, has strengthened notably and is absorbing a large share of available cage-free supply. This improvement coincides with the rollout of new promotional features, some priced as low as $0.99/dozen. Other promotions, while less aggressive, are still frequently positioned below...

ANALYSIS: US Shell Egg Prices Retreat as Post-Holiday Inventories Build

Shell egg prices have begun to ease in the post-Thanksgiving period, with Midwest large slipping 3cts to $2.58/dozen on Tuesday—the first downward move since late September. While the holiday performed in line with expectations and, in some cases, exceeded them, early December often brings a natural cooling in demand. Many consumers enter the month well-stocked after the long holiday weekend, leaving retailers to pull lighter volumes as they assess sell-through before committing to fresh rounds of replenishment.

These softer retail pulls, combined with...

ANALYSIS: US Egg Prices Tumble as Retail Demand Falters

ANALYSIS: US Table-Egg Layer Flock Shrinks to Lowest Level in Nearly a Decade Amid Ongoing Bird Flu 

The latest Chickens and Eggs Report from the USDA revealed that the US table-egg laying population stood at just 291.5 million head as of February 1, marking a 4.1% decline from the previous month and the smallest flock reported since November 2015. However, ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have led to the loss of an additional 11 million layers this month, effectively reducing the national flock to approximately 280 million