The Road to 100% Cage-Free: What a Transition Plan Looks Like

Making a public cage-free egg commitment is a powerful first step—but it’s only the beginning. For that promise to make a real difference, companies need a credible, transparent, and actionable transition plan.

So what does a strong cage-free transition plan actually look like?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what responsible companies are doing—and what others should be doing—to move from commitment to completion.


Step 1: Set Clear, Public Milestones

A solid plan begins with specific targets. “By 2025” isn’t enough. Companies should break down the journey into measurable, time-bound milestones like:

  • 25% cage-free by 2023
  • 50% by 2024
  • Full transition by end of 2025

These interim goals help track progress, build internal accountability, and signal transparency to external stakeholders.

Best practice: Publish annual progress updates by region, not just global totals.

Step 2: Map the Supply Chain

Before a company can source cage-free eggs, it needs to understand where its eggs are currently coming from—and under what conditions.

This includes:

  • Auditing current suppliers across all regions
  • Identifying markets with cage-free availability
  • Flagging regions with gaps or risks
  • Evaluating volume needs and quality requirements

Best practice: Engage third-party experts to help verify current sourcing claims and vet new suppliers.

Step 3: Engage with Suppliers Early

Building a cage-free supply chain doesn’t happen overnight. Companies need to collaborate with suppliers to:

  • Signal long-term demand for cage-free
  • Set expectations and timelines
  • Offer support for transitions (e.g., volume commitments, premium pricing, or training)

Best practice: Host supplier briefings or roundtables to explain sourcing goals and timelines.

Step 4: Use Interim Tools Like Cage-Free Credits

In regions where supply is still limited, companies can support progress by purchasing cage-free credits—a verified way to offset conventional egg use while building future infrastructure.

Credits help:

  • Fund high-welfare production
  • Bridge gaps in physical supply
  • Demonstrate good-faith progress while scaling operations

Best practice: Disclose how many credits were purchased and in which regions.

Step 5: Communicate Transparently—Even When It’s Hard

Delays happen. So do supply chain disruptions. But silence is not a strategy.

Strong transition plans include:

  • Regular public updates
  • Region-specific progress reports
  • Acknowledgment of challenges and a plan to overcome them

Best practice: Include cage-free sourcing in annual ESG or sustainability reports.

Step 6: Track, Audit, and Improve

Even after a company reaches 100%, the work isn’t done. Monitoring systems ensure cage-free eggs remain the standard—and that suppliers uphold welfare.

Companies should:

  • Conduct third-party audits
  • Establish grievance or whistleblower channels
  • Evaluate performance and share learnings

Best practice: Partner with animal welfare certifiers or technical advisors for ongoing verification.

Final Thoughts

The journey to 100% cage-free isn’t just about hitting a target—it’s about creating a food system where animal welfare, transparency, and accountability are the norm.

A strong transition plan does more than move eggs out of cages. It builds trust, supports farmers, strengthens supply chains, and sets a standard the industry can follow.

So the next time a company says it’s “committed,” ask to see the plan.

Because promises are easy. Progress is what counts.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *