In 2023, Brazil became the fifth largest producer of eggs in the world. The past decade saw a growth of nearly 54% in the country’s egg production due to an increase in per capita consumption. Currently, virtually all — 99% — of the 52 billion eggs produced in Brazil each year are for the domestic market.

As in other countries, it’s the battery-cage system of egg production in Brazil that draws the most criticism from animal advocates — and rightly so. Battery cages, in which hens are tightly packed together, barely able to move and prevented from performing fundamental behaviors, cause mental distress and extreme physical discomfort. Among other issues, this can lead to fragile bones and joints and even self-mutilation.

In light of this immense suffering, cage-free eggs are seen as better for animal welfare and an economically viable alternative in Brazil. Hens in cage-free systems are housed in open sheds and, although they don’t have outdoor access, this method of production does allow for more natural behaviors, while remaining economically feasible for companies.

Globally, more than 2,500 commitments have been made by companies to only use eggs from cage-free hens. Of these, 176 commitments come from companies within Brazil, mainly in the food, retail, and hospitality sectors.

Alianima’s first Egg Watch report seeks to track company progress through the transition and highlight areas for improvement. The organization notes that commitments made by supermarkets are especially important, as they act as the primary location for Brazilians to purchase food products due to their prices, variety, and proximity. Just one supermarket chain swapping to cage-free eggs can reach thousands of customers.

Alianima created a ranking based on a company’s level of commitment to the issue. This ranking included whether the company has publicized their cage-free commitment, their progress so far, and their transparency in the transition. For fairness, separate rankings were given for retail and wholesale due to the different challenges they face.

The organization contacted and ranked the following:

• 19 companies with public commitments: Big Box, Casa Santa Luzia, Cencosud, Cia Beal de Alimentos, Empório Varanda, GPA, Carrefour, DIA, Mercadinhos São Luiz, Hippo, Justo, Oba Hortifruti, St. Marche, São Vicente, Pague Menos, Supernosso, UnidaSul, Veran, and Záffari
• 12 companies without public commitments: Assaí Atacadista, Atacadão Dia a Dia, Costa Atacadão, Koch, Grupo Mateus, Super Muffato, Grupo Pereira, Mart Minas, Savegnago, Sonda, Supermercados BH, and Tenda Atacado

Companies with public commitments were asked an additional five questions related to cage-free egg production and transitioning. The majority (79%) have a transition deadline of 2028.

Retailer Rankings

Retailers Casa Santa Luiza and St. Marche share the top ranking. St. Marche completed their transition to cage-free eggs in 2023, five years ahead of schedule. Casa Santa Luiza completed their transition in only two years.

Over half (60%) of companies are failing to be transparent with their consumers, having not reported on their progress in the transition. Four of these (Justo, Mercadhinos São Luiz, Oba Hortifruti, and Veran) no longer have a commitment to cage-free eggs available anymore.

Wholesaler Rankings

Top-ranked Atacadão, part of the Carrefour Group, was the first Brazilian wholesaler to make a commitment to selling exclusively cage-free eggs. It’s also the only wholesaler committed to the transition to publicly report their progress through annual reports and responding to Alianima’s survey.

Wholesalers who have no commitment to animal welfare included Assaí, Tenda Atacado, and Mix Mateus, among others.

Cage-Free Benefits And Challenges

Five of the companies with public commitments replied to Alianima’s questionnaire, representing a 26% response rate.

All five respondents recognized the improved quality of life for hens and the positive perception of consumers as the biggest advantages of the transition. At the same time, four of them acknowledged that a lack of awareness of the issue amongst consumers makes it challenging.

Three respondents identified the North and Northeast as the most difficult regions in the country to source eggs from cage-free hens. One chain, Carrefour, added that due to the low production of cage-free eggs in these regions, eggs must be transported in. This results in higher costs for transport which then reflects in higher prices of the product for consumers. The report invites egg producers in these regions to engage in the transition and support companies by helping them meet the demand.

Another chain, GPA, noted that the lack of mandatory animal welfare regulations makes it difficult to compete with those still selling conventional eggs from battery-caged hens. The report states the need for government agencies to establish minimum standards of practice, which will help protect companies with cage-free commitments and producers who choose more ethical systems.

This first edition of the Egg Watch report by Alianima highlighted the supermarket sector in Brazil and their commitment to sourcing eggs from cage-free hens. Companies of all sizes throughout the country have made these commitments. The report stresses the importance for companies to keep their commitments public and report annually on their progress.

The information in this report offers valuable insight for animal advocates in Brazil looking to better the lives of egg-laying hens. As a lack of awareness amongst consumers was mentioned as a challenge for companies transitioning, one point of outreach can be directed towards making consumers aware of battery cages and the benefits of swapping to more ethical alternatives. Companies mentioned in the report who were not reporting on their progress or had no cage-free commitments can have campaigns targeted towards them, as can government agencies with the authority to mandate regulatory changes.