Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive? Experts Explain

A few things we know about eggs: They are great for breakfast, you can cook them in tons of different ways and they can sometimes be tricky to crack. A few things we’re less clear on: Why do they still cost so darn much? What’s the difference between brown and white eggs? And why are brown eggs more expensive?

We spoke to Sharman Hickman and Jesse LaFlamme, two experts who work for egg producers, as well as registered dietitian Malina Malkani, RD, to find out what really drives the price difference and whether shell color has anything to do with it. Get ready to crack the truth about egg color, cost and what really makes one carton pricier than another.

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What determines eggshell color?

According to Hickman, the community outreach manager for Hickman’s Family Farms, understanding why chickens lay different colored eggs is key. Genetics—not nutrition—determine the eggshell color, she explains.

Believe it or not, all eggs—yep, even the brown ones—begin white. But certain chicken breeds produce a pigment that imparts color when they lay an egg. LaFlamme, the director of Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs, says that depending on the breed, hens may or may not possess genes for the pigment, the natural chemical that coats the egg during the laying process and results in a colored shell.

fresh laid eggs from a farm Annmarie Young Photography/Getty Images

Shell color can range from white to brown and even blue in some rare breeds, Hickman adds. But the colors don’t run deep. You might have seen that brown eggshells are not brown all the way through. In fact, they’re actually white on the inside.

There’s a trick to knowing what color egg a specific breed of hen lays: Look at the color of its ear feathers, LaFlamme says. Breeds such as the Leghorn chicken lay white eggs, while Orpingtons lay brown eggs, and Ameraucana produce blue eggs.

These differences in breeds don’t just impact color; they affect how many eggs a hen lays too.

Why are brown eggs more expensive?

Hens that lay brown or other colored eggs tend to be larger and require more feed and energy to produce that pigmented layer. Since those breeds cost more to feed, their eggs are more expensive.

So are brown eggs better for you?

Although eggs sometimes look and are priced differently, it’s impossible to know their nutritional makeup on shell color alone, according to Malkani. “Choosing between brown and white eggs is a matter of personal preference,” she says. “But it’s important for people to know that the color of the eggshell is related to the breed of the hen, not the egg’s nutrient content, flavor profile, quality or shell thickness.”

What does affect the nutrient content is the specific diet the hen is on. For example, hens fed a diet fortified with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D produce eggs that are higher in those specific nutrients.

No matter your preference, don’t judge an egg by its shell color. What matters most is how the eggs taste, how they fit into your budget and how they were raised. And when it comes to getting the most out of every carton, it helps to know how to tell if eggs are still good before you cook with them. That way, you’re not just picking the right eggs—you’re making sure they stay safe and usable too.

About the experts

Sharman Hickman is the community outreach manager for Hickman’s Family Farms, a leading egg producer in the Southwest United States. She provides farm-to-table education through school programs and community events.
Jesse Laflamme is the director of Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs. He supported his family farm’s journey to becoming the nation’s first certified humane egg producer. Under his leadership, Pete and Gerry’s also became the first egg producer globally to achieve B Corp certified status, partnering with over 200 small family farms to promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.
Malina Linkas Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian and bestselling author specializing in infant and child nutrition. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and has been a trusted expert for local and national media outlets. She is also the founder of her own nutrition consulting company that guides caregivers on feeding practices.

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