DENVER — There’s a sign of the times in the egg section of grocery stores across Colorado: empty shelves with different explanations posted for the shortage.
“I noticed a whole lower section that was empty. So that was kind of a bummer,” said one grocery store shopper.
At one Whole Foods in Denver, a notice posted on the egg section states, “We are currently experiencing difficulty sourcing eggs that meet our strict animal welfare standards.” At King Soopers, bare shelves come with a notice about a 2020 Colorado law requiring cage-free eggs.
While the supply seemed to be down, the prices were significantly up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows egg prices increased 39.6% in September 2024 compared to September 2023 — the largest increase of any food tracked.
There are multiple factors behind the shortage. King Soopers released a statement saying it is transitioning to cage-free eggs by Jan. 1, 2025.
“We are beginning the transition now to help avoid disruption to the supply chain for our customers during the holiday season,” the statement reads.