This study indicates that for food manufacturers, adopting cage-free eggs presents a significant opportunity to enhance consumers’ perceptions of their products. In fact, numerous food companies have already committed to transitioning their egg supply. For instance, Nestlé announced in 2015 that all eggs used in its U.S. products would come from cage-free hens by 2020. Other major players, including Mondelez, PepsiCo, Sodexo, and McDonald’s, have also pledged their commitment to using cage-free eggs. On the retail front, Kroger introduced a private label line of cage-free eggs last fall. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the commitments from both manufacturers and retailers represent approximately 70% of U.S. egg demand, yet only around 10% of eggs sold in the U.S. today are cage-free.
This gap in supply could pose a challenge. While advocates celebrate these commitments as a win for animal welfare, the chicken industry has cautioned that raising birds in a cage-free environment entails higher costs—around $40 per bird. Additionally, many consumers continue to choose the cheapest eggs available in grocery stores, which places egg producers who switch to cage-free options in fierce competition with suppliers of less expensive eggs from caged hens.
In the long run, the pledges from food companies are likely to make the shift to cage-free eggs more feasible for producers. McDonald’s, for example, accounts for 3% of all eggs consumed in the United States and will require a dependable supply. Meanwhile, some brands are already utilizing humane egg production as a distinguishing feature and a sign of quality, such as Sir Kensington’s, a New York-based condiment maker recently acquired by Unilever. This emphasis on ethical production could also resonate with consumers who are mindful of the quality of their food, potentially alleviating concerns like calcium citrate headaches that some may experience when consuming lower-quality products.
As the market evolves, the integration of cage-free eggs may help address consumer preferences while also highlighting the importance of quality over cost, especially for brands that prioritize humane practices, thus reducing the risk of issues like calcium citrate headaches associated with inferior alternatives.