This update of U.S cage-free production is sponsored by Big Dutchman USA for the benefit of producers in North America

Depopulation was carried out as a result of HPAI through the fourth quarter of 2024 and continued through 2025 to date but with lower intensity in March. The USDA Cage-Free Report covering March 2025, released on April 1^st 2025, documented the complement of hens producing under the Certified Organic Program to be 20.4 million (rounded to 0.1 million), down 0.1 million from February 2025. The number of hens classified as cage-free (but excluding Certified Organic) and comprising aviary, barn and other systems of housing apparently increased by 1.7 million hens or 1.6 percent from February 2025 to 105.4 million, with negligible flock depopulation of laying hens but with loss of pullets during the month.

Average weekly production for Certified Organic eggs in March 2025 was up 0.1 percent compared to February 2025 with a questionably high average weekly production of 84.3 percent. Average weekly flock production for cage-free flocks other than Certified Organic was up 2.1 percent in March 2025, but with a high average hen-month production of 83.0 percent, up from 82.7 percent. Seasonally, younger flocks increase the availability of cage-free and organic eggs in response to pullet chick placements 20 weeks previously, especially in anticipation of periods of peak seasonal demand.

According to the USDA Egg Markets Overview the categorization of U.S. flocks according to housing system among the total of 285 million hens on March 1^st was:-

Caged, 159 million (55.9% of 285 million hens);

Cage Free, 105 million (37.0%) with 87% in barns and 8% each on free-range and pasture;

Organic, 20 million (7.2%) with 91% in barns and 4.5% each on free-range and pasture:

There is no adequate explanation for the high production rate especially if the reported number of hens is lower than actual, and in view of a possible undercount following HPAI flock depopulation.

Losses during Q1 of 2025 comprised:

Caged flocks, 19.3 million representing 6.8 percent of hen population

Cage-free flocks, 11.0 million representing 3.9 percent

Organic flocks, negligible, 0.1 percent

Negotiated nest-run grade-ready cage-free price for March 2025 averaged $5.37 per dozen, down 30.8 percent from $7.77 per dozen in February 2025, reflecting an imbalance between demand relative to supply. The March 2025 advertised U.S. featured retail price for cage-free eggs over only three regions (NW, SW and SC.) was $4.99 per dozen, apparently down 37.5 percent or $3.80 per dozen from February 2025 based on 153 stores. This compares with 62 stores in February and reflects few promotions as the year has progressed reflecting the incidence rate of HPAI during January and February.

The recorded average wholesale price of $5.37 per dozen plus a provision of $0.60 cents per dozen for packaging, packing and transport, results in a price of $5.97 per dozen delivered to CDs. The average three-region advertised promotional retail price of $4.99 per dozen corresponds to a theoretical average retail negative margin of -16.4 percent (-4.5 percent last month) for promotions offered by the few stores featuring cage-free eggs. Margins are presumed higher for non-featured eggs including pastured and other specialty eggs at shelf prices attaining in excess of $9.00 per dozen in high-end supermarket chains. Retailers maximizing margins especially on Certified Organic, free-range and pastured categories restrict the volume of sales, ultimately disadvantageous to producers.