Benchmark Surges to 109 Cents, Up 47.6% on Tight Northwest Supply

The national large white benchmark reached 109 cents a dozen the week of July 24, up 47.6% from 74.1 cents the prior week. APHIS confirmed a 1.2 million-bird commercial layer-flock infection in Utah on July 6, and Northwest conventional shell egg inventory has since drawn to 51.0 thousand cases, 32% below the five-year median, per USDA. Total U.S. shell egg inventory stood at 1,380 thousand cases as of July 20, 4.3% below the trailing four-week average.

• National large white cage-free loose: 133 cents a dozen, up 67.2% from 79.6 cents. The cage-free premium widened to 23.7 cents a dozen (22% above conventional), per USDA data dated July 24.
• California-market large white cage-free loose: 132 cents a dozen, up 48.7% from 89.1 cents. Most California series have not updated in over two weeks; see data note.
• Midwest large white delivered warehouse: 122 cents a dozen, up 28.6% from 94.5 cents. Extra large at the same basis reached 123 cents, up 28.3%.
• Midwest large white paid to producers FOB: 104 cents a dozen, up 35.1% from 77.0 cents.
• Midwest large white delivered store door: 127 cents a dozen, up 27.0% from 100 cents. Extra large delivered store door reached 129 cents, up 26.5%.
• Northwest conventional inventory: 51.0 thousand cases, 32% below the five-year median, down 8% on the week. The Northeast contrasts at 202 thousand cases, 17% above its five-year median.

Retail feature activity: USDA tracked 346 stores carrying national large white (12-ct) at $1.33 the week of July 20, consistent with soft summer demand ahead of the back-to-school pickup. Caged liquid whole egg traded at 22.0 cents per pound as of July 20, per USDA.

Data note: USDA has not updated most California series in over two weeks. California-market figures should be verified against current USDA releases before use.