FRESNO (KMJ) — With the new year comes price rises – one of them being the cost of chicken eggs.
A new standard for eggs sold in the state of California has come into force. from January 1st – chickens who lay eggs sold in the Golden State have to have enough space to move around and stretch their wings.
To comply – farmers now have to put fewer hens in each cage or re-build hen houses completely – which could cost millions of dollars.
The change won't just affect farmers in California – but anyone who wants to still sell eggs here.
It ultimately means less eggs produced – higher operating costs – less stock available – and higher prices in the grocery stores.
UC Davis economist Dan Sumner says the required cage sizes aren’t clear yet, but what’s certain is the new law translates into high egg prices at the grocery store.
“I expect when eggs settle out eggs will be between 10 and 40 percent more expensive for consumers,” he said. "But today they're more like 60 or 70 percent higher than they otherwise would have been.
It's also feared chickens with more space will also result in them getting more injuries.
