Food manufacturers navigate global transition to cage-free egg sourcing

Food manufacturers in India and the United States are navigating the transition to cage-free egg sourcing as consumer demand and corporate commitments increase. In India, industry stakeholders, including Global Food Partners India and the People for Animals-Public Policy Foundation, recently held sessions and farm visits to help businesses translate cage-free commitments into commercially viable supply chains.

In the United States, a report by The Humane League evaluated whether major manufacturers have honored their public commitments to 100% cage-free sourcing. The findings indicate a split in industry performance: companies such as Hershey, Campbell’s, Conagra Brands, and PepsiCo are noted for making progress or completing transitions, while others, including Land O’ Lakes and Flowers Foods, have reportedly failed to meet commitments made nearly a decade ago.

Market data suggests a growing business case for these changes, with a McKinsey and NielsenIQ study showing that products with ESG-related claims achieved 28% cumulative growth over five years. Currently, nearly half of the U.S. egg-laying flock is cage-free as producers continue to invest in new housing infrastructure.