The 2026 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) shows rising corporate commitments to higher welfare standards, but warns that most global food companies are still failing to translate pledges into meaningful on-farm change.
Global food companies are continuing to struggle to match animal welfare ambitions with real-world action, according to the latest Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW), which ranks 149 of the world’s largest food businesses and informs a $3 trillion investor coalition.
The annual benchmark, supported by Compassion in World Farming International and FOUR PAWS, finds that while corporate commitments to improve farm animal welfare are strengthening, implementation across global supply chains remains slow and inconsistent.
While many companies have set a course for higher welfare food systems, progress remains slow.”
Top performers in this year’s rankings include Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Greggs and Premier Foods, all placed in Tier 2 of the index. Eight companies moved up a tier overall, including Asda (Bellis Topco Ltd), Hilton Food Group and Amazon/Whole Foods Market.
However, the report highlights persistent gaps between ambition and execution. While 96 companies have set targets to eliminate caged eggs, only 18% have achieved 100% cage-free supply chains. Similarly, despite growing concern over pig welfare, just 13% of companies with pigs in their supply chains have committed to phasing out farrowing crates.
“Public ambition on animal welfare issues like cage free eggs is strong, but the BBFAW research shows few companies translate that into comprehensive action across global food supply chains,” said Nicky Amos, Executive Director of the BBFAW. “Leading companies’ efforts need to be backed by effective policy and market incentives that reward those businesses delivering higher standards.”
Progress is visible in some areas. The report shows that 71% of companies with egg supply chains are reporting progress toward cage-free sourcing, up from 67% in 2024, while 15% now source at least some eggs from systems where male chicks are not culled.
Yet the benchmark also reveals that nearly 90% of companies still sit in the lowest Impact Ratings (‘E’ or ‘F’), indicating limited evidence of meaningful welfare improvements on the ground.
Cage-free progress grows but implementation gap remains wide
Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Philip Lymbery at Compassion in World Farming International, warned that reform is essential to long-term food system resilience. “Phasing out cages is a vital first step toward transforming our food system,” he said. “By moving away from factory farming, companies can help restore soils, protect water, reduce antibiotic use, cut emissions, and support biodiversity.”
Industrial agriculture has pushed natural systems to their limits, but by moving away from factory farming, companies can help restore soils, protect water, reduce antibiotic use, cut emissions, and support biodiversity.
Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer at FOUR PAWS, added: “Animals are sentient beings, and we owe them not only a better life, but recognition that their wellbeing is inseparable from human health, food security, and the future of our planet. While many companies have pledged to go cage-free, progress remains slow – only 18% have fully delivered.”
Regional results show UK companies remain the strongest performers overall, while Asia Pacific companies lag significantly, with nearly all firms in the bottom tiers.
Despite isolated progress, BBFAW concludes that systemic change is still far off unless corporate action accelerates significantly across global supply chains.
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