The EggTrack 2025 report shows strong UK progress on cage-free sourcing, while missed deadlines expose gaps across global food supply chains.
UK food companies have outpaced much of the global market in removing caged eggs from supply chains, but Compassion in World Farming has warned that too many businesses still missed their 2025 cage-free deadlines.
The animal welfare organisation released its latest EggTrack report today, tracking 852 cage-free commitments from major food businesses around the world. The report found that companies have reached an average cage-free transition rate of 85 percent, up from 75 percent in 2023, with more than 160 million hens now kept in cage-free systems each year.
The UK ranked among the strongest performers, reaching an average transition rate of 97 percent across 71 commitments. Aldi UK, Lidl GB and Tesco UK have now moved to 100 percent cage-free sourcing, joining Waitrose, M&S, Co-op and Sainsbury’s.
Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, said: “EggTrack 2025 marks a defining moment for corporate cage-free commitments. Businesses continue to lead the way, particularly in Europe, but strong legislation is essential to level the playing field, ensuring the whole industry delivers a cage-free future.”
UK retailers move ahead
The report also named Tesco UK, Caffè Nero, Greggs, Pizza Express (Restaurants) Limited, IKEA Food and Compass Group UK & IRE among the 168 businesses that have reached 100 percent cage-free status across all egg categories.
The findings come as the UK Government prepares to phase out all caged egg production in Britain by 2032. In January, ministers set out plans to remove enriched “colony” cage systems from the laying hen sector, including among smaller producers.
Colony cage eggs still account for just over 20 percent of UK shell egg production. These systems can house up to 80 hens in a single cage, giving each bird no more space than an A4 sheet of paper.
Morrisons has also reported progress, reaching 100 percent cage-free sourcing for shell eggs and 92 percent for egg products. ASDA has switched all own-brand eggs and egg products to cage-free sources, although the report noted it has not yet set a commitment for branded shell eggs.
Other UK businesses have moved more slowly. Iceland has pushed its cage-free deadline back to 2027, while SPAR UK and Prezzo Restaurants (UK & IRE) have removed their public cage-free commitments, prompting Compassion in World Farming to call for both companies to reinstate clear, time-bound pledges.
Companies falling behind must act now with urgency to progress towards their commitment deadlines and those that have dropped commitments must reinstate them immediately.”
Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming
Global deadlines missed
Beyond the UK, progress looks more uneven. Across Europe, companies reached an average transition rate of 94 percent, but globally, businesses have failed to meet many of the pledges due this year.
EggTrack found that only 198 of the 415 commitments due in 2025 have been fulfilled. A further 217 remain unmet, including commitments from Mars (Global), Dunkin Brands Inc (US) and Aldi Sud (Global). The report also found that 61 commitments have been delayed and 50 companies, including Unilever (Global) and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Global), have withdrawn cage-free pledges entirely.
Dr Jones added: “Companies falling behind must act now with urgency to progress towards their commitment deadlines and those that have dropped commitments must reinstate them immediately. With legislative momentum building and the rising global trend towards cage-free, companies have a clear opportunity - and responsibility - to turn promises into action and consign cages to the history books for good.”
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