Assessing the Impact of Transitioning to Cage-free Eggs on U.S. Egg Farmers, Retailers, and Consumers

Motivation. Across the U.S., state regulations and retailer pledges are accelerating the shift to 100% cage-free egg production. While these commitments reflect consumer and advocacy demands for higher animal welfare, they raise questions about producer costs and consumer impacts. Understanding both sides of this transition is critical for managing economic and social consequences.

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What we do. We assess how the move to cage-free production affects producers and consumers. On the producer side, we survey and interview egg producers nationwide to document operational and financial challenges and identify solutions. On the consumer side, we study willingness to pay and how purchasing behavior may shift in a 100% cage-free market. Supported by the Food Marketing Institute, United Egg Producers, and the United Egg Association, this work has generated academic publications, an industry report, presentations, and media coverage.