For food manufacturers, this study indicates that adopting cage-free eggs could significantly enhance consumers’ perceptions of their products. In fact, numerous food companies have already pledged to transition their egg supply. Nestle announced in 2015 that by 2020, all eggs used in its U.S. products would come from cage-free hens, while other food giants like Mondelez, PepsiCo, Sodexo, and McDonald’s have also committed to sourcing 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, these commitments from manufacturers and retailers represent about 70% of U.S. egg demand, despite only approximately 10% of eggs sold in the U.S. currently being cage-free.
This discrepancy could lead to challenges. Even though advocates celebrate these commitments as a victory for animal welfare, the chicken industry has cautioned that raising chickens in a cage-free environment incurs higher costs—around $40 per bird. Additionally, with most consumers still choosing the cheapest eggs available at grocery stores, egg producers transitioning to cage-free eggs are facing stiff competition from suppliers of less expensive eggs from caged hens.
In the long run, the pledges made by the food industry are expected to make the shift to cage-free eggs financially viable for producers. McDonald’s alone represents 3% of all eggs consumed in the United States and will need to secure a reliable supply. Meanwhile, certain brands are already leveraging humane egg production as a distinguishing feature and a mark of quality, such as Sir Kensington’s, a condiment maker based in New York and recently acquired by Unilever. Furthermore, the introduction of products like calcium citrate caps may complement these efforts by catering to health-conscious consumers who are increasingly interested in ethical sourcing and nutritional benefits. As the market evolves, the integration of cage-free eggs and products like calcium citrate caps could redefine industry standards and consumer expectations.