Cracking it: Retailers and producers line up to embrace cage-free egg market
By Richard Whitehead Egg producers and retailers have been rushing to climb onto the cage-free juggernaut as Asian consumers start to show a preference for more humanely produced eggs.
According to Singapore food consultancy Global Food Partners, there is a strong possibility that cage-free eggs will become the standard egg variety in Asia by 2025.
Elissa Lane, its Chief Executive, said cage-free eggs are becoming more popular as food safety, animal welfare and sustainability gain a bigger influence on consumer choices. Even segments hit hardest by the pandemic, such as hospitality and foodservice, are planning to adopt cage-free eggs in greater numbers.
Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF)’s Wang Somboon Farm becomes the first in Thailand to be certified by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development’s for its cage-free farming practices.
The Department of Livestock enforced the cage-free farming standard in early 2021 and invited eligible farms sign up for certification undertaken by Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification. Under recent inspection by Saraburi Provincial Livestock Office’s Muak Lek unit, the provincial livestock standards and certificant unit and other relevant offices, Wang Somboon Farm was certified for its standard, being the first in Saraburi Province and Thailand.
Dr.Nut Sawasrath, D.V.M, Professional level Veterinarian who led the inspection team and represented Saraburi Province, said that Wang Somboon Farm has shown full compliance to the Department of Livestock Development’s cage-free standard, making it the first cage-free farm in Saraburi and Thailand to be certified for the standard.