Valley small farmers overwhelmed by demand for eggs amid high prices and shortages
As egg prices remain high and shortages still common, the small farmers in California’s Central Valley who supply eggs to farmers markets have become overwhelmed by a surge in demand.
“If the market opens by 7 a.m., we will be sold out by 8 a.m.,” said Margie Weber, co-owner of Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery in Clovis.
“We just can’t supply enough eggs for the demand right now.”
Weber and her husband Joel sell their farmstead goat cheese and eggs at the Vineyard Farmers Market in Fresno.
Egg shortages and high prices have been triggered largely by the devastating bird flu virus that last quarter caused the deaths of more than 20 million egg-laying hens across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In all, more than 136 million poultry, including birds raised for meat and eggs, have been depopulated since the outbreak began in February 2022.
The result has been record-high prices and a pinch in supply. A dozen eggs that used to sell for about $2.80 in 2023 has risen to $9 and higher this year.
Significant losses for California egg production
Commercial egg producers in the San Joaquin Valley, where a majority of the state’s egg production is centered, have been hit especially hard. Counties in the agriculture-rich region — San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Fresno and Kern — have all reported significant losses.
In early January, 75,200 egg-laying chickens were killed in Stanislaus County; and on Christmas Eve, 627,800 egg-laying chickens were depopulated in San Joaquin County and 392,100 in Stanislaus County.
What makes the bird flu so insidious to poultry is that it spreads quickly among an infected flock. Without a cure, the only way to contain the virus is to depopulate all the affected and exposed chickens or turkeys. Typically, farmers use either carbon dioxide gas or a water-base foam.
Small farmers like the Webers consider themselves extremely lucky for having escaped the bird flu. But they also aren’t taking anything for granted. They practice biosecurity controls, including scaring away any wild birds that are known carries of the virus.
Fellow egg farmer Willis Higdon in Pixley said he also worries about his 3,000 egg-laying hens on his ranch, Yolkin Around LLC. The loss of his flock would be devastating. He has built up a loyal following of customers at the Fort Washington Farmers Market in Fresno and Watson’s Organic Cafe and Market.
Every Sunday, he gets up at the crack of dawn and drives 65 miles to the Fort Washington Farmers Market in Fresno. These days, his customers are waiting for him by the time he arrives. Higdon can easily sell 40 dozen cartons of eggs. When his hens are in peak production, he can sell 100 to 160 dozen a week.
Higden charges $9 a dozen for his free-range eggs that he says are still about $3 cheaper a dozen than in some retail stores.
“People ask me why don’t I raise my prices and I tell them that I like to be able to sleep at night,” he said. “Just because some farmers are having a hard time, it doesn’t mean you get the chance to be greedy.”
Waiting lists to purchase farm fresh eggs
One egg farmer said demand for farm fresh eggs has been so high they have stopped accepting new customers.
“My phone rings all day long from people wanting to know if we have eggs for sale,” said the farmer, who asked not to be identified. “I feel bad for people wanting good quality eggs, but I just don’t have enough for everyone who wants them.”
The farmer sells eggs for $7 a dozen and has no plans to increase the price, unless feed costs go up.
Nathan Hutchison, of Nate’s Chicks in Madera, has seen a 75% increase in his sales since the start of the bird flu epidemic. And like other small farm egg producers, he isn’t raising his prices. He sells a dozen eggs for $7 and he also has a huge waiting list for his eggs.
“The sourcing of eggs has become a lot harder for people, and as the price keeps going up, people will look at other places for their eggs,” Hutchison said.
Despite the increased demand, he also doesn’t plan on raising prices.
“I know the costs and I know how much I need to make a living,” he said. “To raise prices right now goes against what we stand for and the respect we have for our customers.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM.
