![Study Shows Transition to Cage-Free Eggs Comes With Problems](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/10/attachment-Chickens-2022-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Study Shows Transition to Cage-Free Eggs Comes With Problems
A new study funded in part by United Egg Producers and the United Egg Association shows the transition to cage-free eggs will increase costs and reduce profits. It also shows that producers may not be able to make the 2026 deadline.
“Conversion from conventional to cage-free housing is costly for both egg producers and final consumers," the study noted.
There remains a lot of uncertainty about the extent to which egg producers will be willing and able to continue transitioning to cage-free housing at a rate commensurate with retailers’ cage-free pledges. Roughly 55% of consumers surveyed for the study are motivated by price and don’t discriminate between cage and cage-free eggs. Producers surveyed also reveal higher costs and labor requirements associated with cage-free production.
Producers are also experiencing challenges in getting financing to convert or build cage-free facilities without longer-term commitments from retailers, particularly as interest rates continue climbing higher.
If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com
More From PNW Ag Network
![Consumer Price Index Increases Again](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2021/03/Money-2021-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Consumer Price Index Increases](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2021/03/Money-2021-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cattle Accounted for Largest Portion of US Animal Receipts in ’21](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/09/attachment-Older-Farmer-Cow.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA: Egg Prices Moving Lower](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/08/Eggs-STOCK.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Food Prices Outpacing Inflation](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/03/33435885_l-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Egg Prices Double During the Past Year](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/08/Eggs-Large-1-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![U.S. Egg Production Down 5% in November](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/08/Eggs-STOCK.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Poultry Industry Releases Economic Impact Study](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/05/Eggs-2022-1-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bird Flu Reported In Oregon’s Yamhill County](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/10/attachment-Chickens-2022-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)