CHINA – Sundaily, China’s second-largest egg producer and among the top 12 globally, has begun construction on the country’s largest single-site cage-free egg farm in Jian’ge County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province.
The project, scheduled for launch in 2025, aligns with a broader transition in the poultry industry towards more humane and sustainable egg production.
Move towards cage-free egg production
The farm will initially house 300,000 cage-free hens, with expansion plans to reach one million birds within the next three to five years.
It will also feature advanced egg processing facilities for the production of shell eggs, liquid eggs, powdered eggs, and other processed products. This development reflects a growing industry shift in response to evolving consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and corporate sourcing commitments.
Cage-free systems provide hens with greater freedom of movement and the ability to engage in natural behaviors such as perching, dust-bathing, and foraging—practices that are widely regarded as improving animal welfare.
Traditional battery cage systems, which confine hens to small enclosures, have faced increasing scrutiny due to welfare concerns.
Research from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicates that cage-free farms report up to 25 times lower contamination rates from key Salmonella strains compared to conventional caged systems, contributing to improved food safety standards.
Consumer preferences and corporate commitments
A 2021 poll by Lever China and food media agency FTA revealed that 60% of Chinese consumers prefer food companies to source eggs exclusively from cage-free farms, while 75% indicated they were more likely to support brands that commit to such sourcing practices.
The growing awareness of food quality, sourcing transparency, and ethical animal treatment has prompted major food retailers and corporations to revise their procurement strategies.
Sundaily, founded in 2001, has established partnerships with major retailers, including JD, Sam’s Club, and Walmart, as well as restaurant chains, foodservice companies, and hotels.
“As the leading egg company in China, Sundaily is dedicated to providing high-quality eggs while aligning with global trends in animal welfare and food safety,” Lei Bo, Vice Chairman of Techlex Group, Sundaily’s parent company, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting consumer expectations.
Global and regional adoption of cage-free standards
The shift towards cage-free egg production is not limited to China. Indonesia, the second-largest egg producer globally, is experiencing a similar transition, with multinational and regional food companies pledging to adopt cage-free sourcing by 2025.
In Vietnam, Global Food Partners and Nguyen Gia Livestock Production Cooperative, one of North Vietnam’s largest egg producers, have partnered to transition 50,000 hens to a 100% certified cage-free system by 2025.
Globally, regions such as the European Union and the United States have enacted regulations or market-driven initiatives to promote cage-free production.
The EU has imposed bans on conventional battery cages, with an increasing number of foodservice providers and retailers committing to sourcing cage-free eggs.
In the U.S., states like California and Massachusetts have enacted laws mandating that all eggs sold within their jurisdictions come from cage-free systems.
Regulatory landscape and industry challenges
While consumer demand and corporate policies are driving the adoption of cage-free systems, challenges remain.
Transitioning from conventional cage systems to cage-free environments requires significant investment in infrastructure, training, and operational adjustments.
Additionally, variations in regulatory requirements across different countries present complexities for global egg producers seeking to standardize their sourcing practices.
Lever China, a Shanghai-based consultancy specializing in ethical and sustainable food sourcing, has been working with major egg producers, including Sundaily, to implement cage-free production methods.
“Sundaily’s new cage-free egg farm is setting a new benchmark for food quality and animal welfare in China,” said Mutzu Huang, Program Director at Lever China.
