When eggs get expensive, everyone notices. To separate signal from noise, Andy welcomes Brian Earnest, lead protein industry analyst at CoBank, for a clear walk through supply, demand, and the structural changes that shape the retail shelf. They explain how highly pathogenic avian influenza cut laying capacity, why recovery is uneven, and how cage-free conversions changed the cost structure and the product mix. The episode puts headlines into context, comparing eggs with pork, beef, and chicken, and explaining how regional markets and contracts complicate simple year-over-year comparisons.

Producers and buyers get practical takeaways. Brian outlines indicators to watch in flock numbers, placement data, and feed markets. He also describes scenarios that could bring prices down or keep them sticky, and how retailers think about promotions when shoppers feel price fatigue. It is a calm, data-driven discussion for anyone who needs to plan budgets, manage expectations, or answer consumer questions with confidence.

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