The Transition to Cage-Free Eggs

Description:

State regulations, retailer pledges, and final consumer demand have contributed to a rising share of egg-laying hens housed in cage-free systems over the past decade. Nonetheless, conversion from conventional to cage-free housing is costly for both egg producers and final consumers. As such, there remains uncertainty about the extent to which egg producers will be willing and able to continue the transition to cage-free housing at a rate commensurate with retailers’ cage-free pledges. To explore this issue, this study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to cage-free housing, including interviews with and a survey of egg producers, a survey of egg consumers, and economic modeling of the sector.