 Original article written by Meredith Dawson Most cage-free pledges made by companies worldwide are coming due in 2025. Companies across all sectors have either reported progress or met their cage-free egg commitments globally, with 92 percent of commitments due by 2024 or earlier fulfilled as of July 2025, up from 89 percent in 2024, according to animal welfare group Open Wing Alliance’s (OWA) 2025 Cage-free Egg Fulfillment Report. In the report, the OWA said that companies citing cost and supply availability as barriers to meeting their pledges were able to achieve the goals through gradual implementation, recipe optimization, strategic sourcing partnerships and early communication with producers to create market demand. Companies that communicate their cage-free requirements in advance can support market demand, encourage producers to invest in cage-free facilities and may help reduce the cost difference between cage and cage-free eggs for consumers, OWA added. OWA did not cite anything regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza’s (HPAI) impact on the egg industry. Regional updates Europe achieved a 96 percent fulfillment rate for commitments due by 2024 or earlier. As a country, Sweden has achieved a 100 percent cage-free status. Major retailers in Italy, including Bennet and UNES, are now fully sourcing cage-free eggs, while Lidl Serbia and Carrefour Spain fulfilled pledges ahead of schedule. The Asia-Pacific region achieved 86 percent of its commitments in Asia and 94 percent in Oceania. Hong Kong Adventist Hospital became the first hospital in Hong Kong to transition to cage-free eggs for patient meals. Additionally, the region launched its "Cage-Free Hong Kong" movement in August 2024. Latin America achieved 90 percent fulfillment for commitments, while Africa reached 88 percent. Tanzania saw its first cage-free achievements with Mama Shofu Culinary Experience and Betty Cakes and Bites reaching 100 percent cage-free sourcing. Malawi reported its first-ever cage-free commitment. North America showed the lowest regional fulfillment rate at 77 percent, however, the U.S. reported 45.7 percent of its layers in cage-free housing as of June 2025. Companies including McDonald's, Carl's Jr., Golden Corral, White Castle, Papa John's and Rubio's Coastal Grill fulfilled pledges ahead of schedule, and Conagra Brands met its 100 percent cage-free goal a year early. cage-free eggsanimal welfareanimal welfare commitmentsComments are closed.
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