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EggTrack Asia Pacific

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EggTrack Asia Pacific (APAC)

As 2025 approaches, marking the critical deadline for many companies to fulfil their cage-free commitments, Compassion is presenting the EggTrack 2024 Spotlight for the APAC region. This edition focuses on key countries and markets, providing an overview of company progress across Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Thailand, and other significant regional players.


Methodology

EggTrack 2024 Spotlight for APAC evaluates companies based on a methodology tailored to the unique dynamics of the region. Companies are categorized as follows:

Leaders: Companies that have reached 100% cage-free status across the region or in specific APAC countries.

In Progress: Companies that have not yet reached 100% cage-free implementation but demonstrate transparency and a commitment to reporting on their progress.

At Risk: Companies that have not disclosed sufficient information about their cage-free progress or are making slow progress toward meeting their commitments.

Laggards: Companies that appear to have stepped back from previously stated commitments.

This approach highlights both achievements and areas for improvement, driving accountability and encouraging further progress toward cage-free production.

EggTrack Category Company Progress

Leaders

Leaders

Leading companies that have achieved 100% cage-free status.

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‘Leaders’ are companies that have already achieved significant progress, with many reaching 100% cage-free status across their operations. These companies set a benchmark for others by demonstrating that cage-free commitments are achievable through consistent effort and clear strategies.

Australia & New Zealand Leading the Way:

  • McDonald's has achieved 100% cage-free eggs across all shell eggs and egg products in both Australia and New Zealand, setting a benchmark for the region. Starting regional reporting could further showcase progress and inspire broader adoption. 
  • Coles Group (Australia) reports 94% cage-free own-brand and branded shell eggs (100% cage-free for own-brand shell eggs), while reaching 66% for own-brand egg products.
  • Woolworths Group has maintained 100% cage-free own-brand shell eggs in both Australia and New Zealand. However, branded shell eggs decreased from 84% last year to 77% this year, despite the report claiming an 11% increase. In New Zealand, branded shell eggs rose from 67% in 2023 to 72% in 2024. Cage-free ingredients also improved significantly, increasing from 21% in 2023 to 34% in 2024.
  • Burger King Achieved 100% cage-free shell eggs in Australia and New Zealand and, for the first time, reported 22% implementation across APAC, demonstrating valuable transparency in the region.
  • Sodexo (Australia) continues to report 100% cage-free shell eggs, reflecting a commitment to transparency and consistency. However, their report shows no progress yet on cage-free egg products.
In Progress

In Progress

Companies reporting on progress towards cage-free commitments.

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Companies in this category may not yet have high implementation rates but are recognised for their transparency and willingness to report on their progress. Open reporting is a critical step toward accountability, and these companies are commended for fostering dialogue and paving the way for improvement.

  • Accor Has made commendable progress, raising its cage-free implementation rate from 40% to 59% this year. The report focuses on the number of hotels meeting the commitment, which is a positive step forward. A shift to volume-based reporting, like their European operations, is encouraged for future alignment with best practices.
  • Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts increased cage-free implementation from 29% to 47%.
  • Marriott APAC (Excluding China) reported a significant increase in cage-free implementation among managed hotels, rising from approximately 7% to 22%.
  • Compass Group has increased cage-free shell eggs from 14% to 15% and liquid eggs from 15% to 29%. Their roadmap to 100% cage-free by 2025 and focus on using collective buying power to enhance cage-free egg availability demonstrate a collaborative strategy for driving meaningful change in the region. In areas with supply challenges, they plan to use egg credits as an alternative.
  • Hilton Hotels has improved transparency by including smaller APAC regions in its reporting, offering valuable insights despite supply chain challenges. While currently based on spend, this effort reflects a commitment to improving visibility. Our estimation, based on published data, indicates a 17% cage-free implementation in APAC (excluding China). Continued collaboration with stakeholders is encouraged to boost cage-free egg availability.
  • Kraft Heinz reported a decline in APAC implementation, dropping from 40% to 30%. However, their global cage-free progress increased from 64% to 67%, with significant regional improvements, such as Latin America rising from 7% to 25%.
  • Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Australia & New Zealand reported an increase in cage-free implementation in Australia, rising from 11.765% to 27%, while maintaining stability in New Zealand at around 22%.
  • Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Asia increased cage-free implementation from 7% to 18%, showcasing a commitment to transparency.
At Risk

At Risk

Companies which have not disclosed sufficient reporting on cage-free progress.

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This category highlights companies that have not disclosed sufficient information about their cage-free progress. Non-reporting raises concerns about transparency and accountability, risking trust with stakeholders and progress toward meeting the 2025 deadline.

  • George Weston Foods (Australia and New Zealand) has provided no updates or public reporting on their progress, raising concerns about their transparency and accountability.
  • Mars Global continues to avoid reporting any progress or commitments toward cage-free implementation in Australia (their only country in APAC with a commitment), leaving a significant gap in visibility on progress.
  • Sodexo reports global cage-free progress, with shell eggs rising from 28.6% to 37.6% and liquid eggs from 71.5% to 75.3%. The company states it is on track for 100% cage-free eggs by 2025 in countries covering 88% of its revenue but does not disclose progress for the APAC region. We recommend developing an APAC-specific implementation plan and introducing regional or per-country reporting to improve transparency and accountability.
  • Starbucks has a global goal of 100% cage-free eggs and egg products in company-operated stores, with significant progress in the US, Canada, EMEA, and the UK. However, in key APAC markets like China and Japan, limited cage-free production is cited, but no current implementation rates are provided.
  • Aldi Süd reports 95% of shell eggs sold by the ALDI SOUTH Group are cage-free, excluding the USA, Hungary, and China. However, APAC operations, including Australia, remain unreported. Notably, their 2025 commitment, which included China in 2023, now excludes it, as stated in their 2024 Fact Sheet on Animal Welfare. We encourage the company to clarify its position on this change.
  • Lotus’s (Thailand) is not reporting on their progress or commitments, leaving their stance on cage-free implementation unclear. Additionally, the company has been acquired by Siam Makro, which does not appear to have a cage-free commitment, raising further concerns about the future direction of their policies.
  • Food Passion Asia (Thailand) has not disclosed any updates or provided transparency regarding its cage-free progress, raising significant concerns about its accountability and commitment to meeting animal welfare standards.
Laggards

Laggards

Companies that appear to have stepped back from previously stated commitments.

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This section highlights instances where companies seem to have stepped back from previously stated commitments, raising concerns about their dedication to achieving cage-free goals and honouring promises made to stakeholders.

  • Allied Pinnacle (Subsidiary of Nisshin Seifun Group) has removed its cage-free commitment from public reports, raising concerns about its transparency and commitment to stakeholders.
  • Bid Corporation’s subsidiary in Australia no longer references its cage-free commitment in recent reports, signalling a step back from its previously stated goals.
  • HMSHost Group International while an Instagram post about its cage-free commitment in Indonesia remains live, the parent company Autogrill appears to have removed its overall cage-free commitment. This raises questions about its long-term dedication. HMSHost is still considered committed but non-reporting, and clarification has been sought to better understand their position.

Recommendations and next steps

Based on the data reported by these selected companies in the APAC region —excluding those that had already achieved 100% implementation in prior years and those that did not report data last year — there has been notable progress in cage-free implementation. The average percentage point difference in progress between 2023 and 2024 is approximately 9.89 percentage points. This metric reflects the absolute increase or decrease in implementation rates compared to the previous year.

When considering Year-on-Year (YoY) proportional growth, the average increase across reporting companies is 73.63%. This calculation highlights the relative progress made by some companies, especially those starting from lower baselines. These figures underline the varying levels of progress and challenges across the region. While several companies demonstrated strong proportional growth, others saw setbacks or slower progress.

The dataset reflects both the successes of companies actively transitioning to cage-free systems and the need for continued momentum to meet regional and global targets. While this demonstrates positive strides toward meeting cage-free commitments, much work remains to be done. The overall pace of transition varies significantly among companies, with some still facing challenges in achieving consistent progress across their operations. Continued collaboration, transparency, and strategic initiatives will be critical to accelerating this transition.

Companies should develop robust policies for cage-free commitments, incorporating clear timelines, both regional and global targets, and metrics for tracking progress. Transparent reporting practices are critical and should include annual updates, regional breakdowns, and clear progress indicators. Companies adopting cage-free credits are encouraged to report both the physical percentage of cage-free eggs and the use of cage-free credits. Additionally, they should have a clear strategy to ensure that reliance on credits decreases year-over-year as cage-free eggs become more widely available. Reporting clearly and consistently sends a strong market signal of a company’s commitment and interest in driving change, fostering accountability and encouraging progress across the supply chain.

In addition to clear reporting, companies should invest time in proactive strategic thinking about the implementation of their commitments. Given the low overall levels of current implementation in the APAC region, it is critical to boost conversion by supporting producers in taking steps toward cage-free systems. Providing guidance, resources, and collaboration opportunities can make this transition more achievable and impactful.

Global companies that have successfully transitioned to cage-free systems in other parts of the world must extend their commitments to regions like APAC, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The welfare of animals in these regions is no less important than in Europe or the US and deserves equal attention. Moreover, these regions account for the majority of land animal production worldwide, reinforcing the urgency of initiatives that drive systemic change and reshape the production landscape.

In our 2023 Global EggTrack report, we highlighted 36 global companies that lacked overarching cage-free commitments. While we have not included a detailed assessment of these companies in this year’s EggTrack regional Spotlights, the importance of such commitments remains paramount. Establishing clear, comprehensive goals is essential to aligning with industry expectations, driving systemic change, and ensuring progress in regions where cage-free production still faces significant challenges. These global commitments not only signal leadership and ambition but also play a crucial role in shaping the market and fostering accountability across supply chains worldwide.

Compassion is dedicated to supporting companies on their journey toward improved animal welfare. Our efforts in 2025 will focus on fostering knowledge-sharing and supporting the implementation of initiatives aimed at leveraging collective buying power, bringing stakeholders together, and enabling smooth transitions to cage-free systems. These activities will include providing insights into crafting effective policies, transitioning to higher welfare production, and fostering collaboration across supply chains.

We aim to help companies meet their commitments while driving meaningful progress for animal welfare across the APAC region. For additional support, explore resources like our recently launched Business Case for Cage-Free Systems, which highlights the tangible benefits of prioritizing animal welfare. For more information about how our Food Business programme can support your initiatives and help place farm animal welfare at the center of a future-fit food system, contact us.

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