Numbers indicate that brown eggs are more expensive than white ones. The two types do not differ in nutritional value, so what are the reasons behind this? The difference between the types is linked to farm economics, as keeping brown hens that lay eggs happy and well-nourished costs more. A New York egg farm owner, Daniel Bray, explained to CNN, "Basically, there is no difference between brown and white eggs nutritionally." He noted, "It depends on the breed of the chicken; the farm produces over 200,000 white eggs daily." The American network reported that "some breeds, like the white Leghorn, lay eggs with white shells, while other breeds, like Rhode Island Reds, lay eggs with brown shells."
According to Bray, the cost and taste of the egg you buy, whether white or brown, are determined by what the hen is fed and the quantity. He added, "It largely depends on the feed for the chickens. Producing dozens of brown eggs costs more because the chicken that produces them tends to eat more." Joan Frank, assistant director of the nutrition science program at the University of California, pointed out that "there is no difference in the nutritional value of eggs based on shell color." She stated, "I think consumers, for some reason, have come to believe that brown eggs are healthier, which is not true." She continued, "Eggs come in several colors, not just white and brown. Depending on the breed, some can be blue and green."
Egg prices in the United States vary according to supply and demand, such as increased demand for eggs before Easter and holidays, according to agricultural economics professor and livestock economics specialist David Anderson at Texas A&M University. Anderson confirmed that producing brown eggs does indeed cost more. He said, "If their production is more expensive, it is likely their price will be higher for the consumer."
