What Does Cage-free Progress Look Like Around the World?

With corporate cage-free commitments being fulfilled year after year, more egg-laying hens around the world are being spared from spending their lives in cramped cages.

Cages are being phased out as consumers, producers, and legislators around the world are also made aware of their many cruelties. But where does each global region* stand on its cage-free egg progress?

Cage-free in Africa

Africa is 39.3% cage-free—an impressive figure for the world’s second most populous region. There are no cage-free laws across Africa (although South Africa has a cage-free code of practice). There are, however, many small farmers—and these farmers control egg production in the region. The high cost of purchasing battery cages has influenced the implementation of more cage-free systems.

Famous Brands—the largest restaurant company in Africa—is the current cage-free trailblazer. With almost 3,000 restaurants in 18 countries, the company’s estimated 50 million eggs used per year is a significant win for the cage-free movement. The company also met its commitment of sourcing eggs from only cage-free systems three years before its deadline. Major retailer Majid al Futtaim, with 375 stores in 30 countries across the Middle East and Africa, has committed to go 100% cage-free for private label shell eggs across all markets by 2030, (and for all national brands by 2032).

Regional spotlight: South Africa

“We are also hopeful seeing the progress of changes in the law. Our courts are increasingly recognising that the treatment of animals is a constitutional issue which has the power to impact not only billions of sentient beings with intrinsic worth, but also the environment, and guaranteed human rights. This is a notable shift that has major implications for the work of animal protectors in our region.”

Amy P. Wilson, Executive Director, ALRSA

Consumer demand for cage-free is growing in South Africa. There has been increasing public awareness around animal welfare, stemming from both local and international media coverage. As the recent outbreak of avian flu affected both egg prices and supply, it sparked consumer interest about egg sourcing. Publicized, wide-scale acts of cruelty against farmed animals also contributed to this awareness. Corporations are beginning to recognize that animal protection organizations are important stakeholders in their sustainability goals.

Cage-free in Asia

The cage-free movement in Asia is showing exciting progress, as more and more leading egg producers invest in cage-free systems to supply the ever-increasing number of major companies in the region with cage-free commitments. In Bhutan, battery cages have been banned since 2012. China, Indonesia, Israel (which has a full cage ban), Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand all have cage-free standards in place. In spring of 2024, Teong Choon Poultry Farm announced the opening of Malaysia’s first large-scale cage-free aviary, in collaboration with housing manufacturing giant Big Dutchman. Tudama recently opened China’s largest cage-free egg farm, set to house 500,000 hens.

Noteworthy Asian companies are also contributing to this progress. Jollibee—the world’s largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant chain—recently committed to going cage-free globally by 2035. Top retailer Carrefour Taiwan is going cage-free for all its own shell eggs by 2025, for all its 300+ locations (and for all its ingredient eggs for Carrefour’s private label brand, 2028). Taiwan’s RT Mart (Auchan) will go cage-free for all its branded and private eggs by 2025. Super Indo, which has over 200 stores in Indonesia, will sell only cage-free eggs by 2035.

Regional spotlight: Taiwan

“After years of campaigning, the shift away from cages is well and truly underway as the Taiwanese public discover the cruelty of cages, and companies face increasing pressure to prove their ESG and sustainability credentials.”

Jonathon Tree, Director of Campaigns and International Affairs, EAST

Though Taiwan has faced several severe outbreaks of avian influenza, along with increased resistance from industry stakeholders to replace battery cages with enriched cages (instead of going entirely cage-free), years of cage-free campaigns have powered its promising progress. As mentioned, Carrefour Taiwan, Taiwan’s second largest supermarket chain, committed to only selling cage-free eggs by 2025. Silks Hotel Group, Taiwan’s largest listed hotel company, announced a cage-free policy in April 2024. They join other leading companies that have committed to making the switch to 100% cage-free eggs.

Public awareness—and acceptance—of the cage-free movement is also increasing. Taipei leads the way in introducing a small amount of cage-free eggs in school lunches, with other cities and counties taking notice of this transition. Surveys show a majority of Taiwanese adults support a ban on battery cages, while three-quarters believe animal welfare should be included in corporate social responsibility standards. Before Taiwan’s recent elections, nearly 200 people protested in front of Taiwan’s presidential office, demanding a phaseout of battery cages.

Cage-free in Europe

In Europe, the cage-free flock—currently at an encouraging 60%—represents the majority of egg-laying hens. The EU banned barren battery cages in 2012, and some countries have more progressive cage-free laws. The Wallonia and Flanders Regions of Belgium, Austria, Czechia, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are leading the way by ending all cages (barren and enriched cages).

Companies across Europe are ditching cages. Unilever is 71% cage-free globally, with a goal to reach 100% by 2024. Major retailers Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord are both reporting progress, and also plan to go 100% cage-free globally by 2025. Italy’s Barilla, which uses around 400 million eggs per year, has been cage-free globally since 2019. Switzerland-based Nestlé is reporting that it’s 72.9% cage-free globally, and working to reach full compliance by 2025 as well. Global airline foodservice company Gategroup, also based in Switzerland, has the same goal, and is reporting that it’s 75% cage-free.

Regional spotlight: Latvia

“The market and public understanding is really changing. When we started, the problem of cages was not on the radar at all, but now it is clear that getting rid of cages for hens is only a matter of time.”

Aivars Andersons, Director of Development, Dzīvnieku brīvība

Though 70% of hens in Latvia live in cages, there are significant cage-free commitments from leading companies—companies that chose to prioritize corporate social responsibility, instead of profiting from animal suffering. The majority of Latvian retailers—and several large food manufacturers—have all committed to going cage-free. Latvia’s leading egg producer Balticovo (the biggest producer in Northern Europe) is public about its cage-free transition—planning to be fully compliant by 2027.

Latin America

In Latin America, large-scale cage-free transitions are beginning to take place. Brazil has shown remarkable strides in this transition: seven years ago, there was no industrial cage-free production in the country. And now, Brazil’s top two egg producers have switched over to cage-free facilities, affecting millions of hens and proving that cage-free transitions are achievable—even ahead of set deadlines. Major Brazilian retailers, restaurants, and foodservice providers are on track to fulfill—or have fulfilled—their cage-free commitments.

Latin America is currently 8.5% cage-free. Belize and Colombia both have cage-free standards and Colombia is a global cage-free leader at 59% cage-free. Colombia's CF production is led by Nutriavicola (Huevos Oro), a large (>3 million hens) egg producer that’s almost entirely cage-free (around 90%). Because of its many years of experience with cage-free production, Nutriavicola's cage-free eggs are economically competitive with conventional eggs. In Colombia, cage-free policies are recognized as corporate sustainability in action, and many companies are competitive about making progress on their commitments.

Steady policy wins across the region bode well for further cage-free progress. Cage-free commitments have been secured from Grupo Bimbo in 2015, Sodexo (Brazil) in 2016, GPA (Brazil) in 2017, Carrefour (Brazil) in 2018, and Cencosud (Brazil in 2021, Peru in 2022, Chile in 2024), among others. Major McDonald’s franchiser Arcos Dorados–with over 4,000 locations—committed to go 100% cage-free by 2025, and already fulfilled its commitments in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Dia Group, with locations in Argentina and Brazil, committed to go cage-free globally.

Regional spotlight: Mexico

“Despite challenges, there is a noticeable increase in consumer demand for cage-free eggs in Latin America. This trend reflects a shift towards more ethical and sustainable consumption practices, driven by increased awareness and advocacy efforts, and the millennial generation trying to align their values with their actions.”

Diana Molina, Corporate Relations Manager - Latin America, Mercy For Animals Mexico

The cage-free movement shows promising signs in Mexico. Major companies have successfully transitioned to sourcing only cage-free eggs. These commitments signal changing attitudes toward the importance of animal welfare, and reflect the influence of consumer preferences—as well as the viability of going cage-free. Cage-free awareness is anticipated to spread throughout the region.

Cage-free in North America

In North America, cage-free progress continues to grow. The US cage-free flock went up to 40.2% of the total egg-laying flock in February 2024. 10 states have passed cage-free laws. Though the meat industry challenged California’s Proposition 12—which bans the extreme confinement of laying hens, calves raised for veal, and mother pigs—the law was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in 2023. In Canada, the industry aims to transition away from battery cages by 2036. However, most of that transition is going to enriched cages. Only 18% of Canada's layer flock lives outside of caged systems.

Most leading food companies have committed to go cage-free, with many of them fulfilling their commitments by their self-imposed deadlines. Starbucks is 100% cage-free in all of North America. Leading manufacturers including PepsiCo, Nestlé, Mars, Mondelez, JM Smucker, and Unilever have achieved their 100% cage-free goals in the US. Other industry leaders—like McDonald’s and The Cheesecake Factory—have gone a step further, and fulfilled their US cage-free commitments years ahead of schedule. Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid made headlines last year for doing the same.

Regional spotlight: The US

“In the recent producer survey from the January Egg Industry Special report, the average producer said that by 2030 they would have higher cage-free production than what they predicted for their competitors. If all producers think they’re going to beat out the competition for most cage-free egg production, this could mean it's a race to the top.”

Liz Fergus, Corporate Relations Lead, The Humane League US

The US is making considerable cage-free progress. Legislative measures that support higher animal welfare are being upheld. Most egg producers think they’ll lead the way to increased cage-free production. Increasing consumer awareness about animal welfare issues has led to a growing demand for cage-free–resulting in many major food retailers, restaurants, and foodservice companies making progress on or fulfilling their commitments. This momentum in regulatory pressure is pushing producers and companies to act. Hospitality industry leaders like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons,, Peninsula Hotels, Wyndham, JetBlue, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and SeaWorld are reporting cage-free progress in the US or have achieved their goals.

Oceania

At 50%, Oceania is halfway to becoming a fully cage-free region. The most populous country (Australia) and the third most populous country (New Zealand) have cage-free laws in place (New Zealand banned battery cages in 2022, and Australia has a cage-free standard).

Significant cage-free policy wins include Australia’s Open Farm, a major pet food manufacturer that has been cage-free globally since 2022, and Domino’s committing to go cage-free in Australia and New Zealand by 2025.

Regional spotlight: New Zealand

“Most New Zealanders care about the welfare of farmed animals. In 2023, Animal Policy International found that 90% of New Zealand adults aged 18+ believed it is either very important or important to protect the welfare of farmed animals. An earlier study in 2017 conducted by the Ministry for Primary Industries found that 95% of people agreed it is important that the welfare of farmed animals in New Zealand is protected.”

Marianne Macdonald, Executive Director, Animals Aotearoa

New Zealand’s great progress has met some bumps along the way. As in other countries, the egg industry tried—and failed—to pressure major supermarkets to renege on their cage-free egg commitments. An egg shortage at the start of 2023 was spurred by the egg industry failing to produce enough cage-free eggs for the demand—despite having ten years to comply. In spite of this, strong demand for higher welfare eggs fuels the country’s progress. Many food businesses have made public commitments to go cage-free. The majority have stopped using eggs from caged hens, or are in the process of transitioning to 100% cage-free egg supplies. A parliamentary ban on battery cages passed in 2012, and the phaseout took place over a decade. (Battery cages have been illegal since January 2023).

What percentage of hens are cage-free worldwide?

15.8% of egg-laying hens worldwide live outside of caged systems. Global cage-free commitments from corporate powerhouses—including Yum! Brands (the biggest global restaurant company), Costco, Unilever, Compass Group, and Sodexo—are fueling the movement toward a 100% cage-free world.

Read our most recent cage-free fulfillment report.

The OWA follows the regional groupings of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.