Carrefour announce all eggs going cage free by 2025

The French-based retailer, which has 9,500 supermarkets across Europe, announced at the end of last year cage-free targets for France, Italy, Poland and Belgium.

Carrefour extends cage-free policy

But in its new strategy it has said all Carrefour-brand eggs sold in its stores in Spain and Romania will also be cage-free by 2025.

In a statement, the supermarket – which already sells 500 million cage-free own brand egg – said it would work closely with partners on ending sales from cage-reared hens on a larger sale.

“Carrefour will work closely alongside its producers and suppliers in meeting this goal. Carrefour is calling upon national-brand suppliers to take up this European commitment and so ensure that this transformation applies as widely as possible to the market,” the retailer said in a statement.

Farm animal welfare organisation applauds cage-free policy

The announcement was welcomed by Compassion in World Farming, which said the move would benefit the lives of more than 1.6 laying hens each year.

Amelie Legrand, CIWF food business manager, said: “We applaud Carrefour Group for its commitment to ban cages across its European shell egg supply chain. This decision sets an important precedent, especially in countries such as Romania and Spain, where caged egg production remains a prominent issue.

“We truly believe this ambitious policy will raise consumer awareness and encourage other retailers in these markets to follow suit – to create a cage-free future for millions more laying hens.”