Statement on cage-free eggs
GATEGROUP
In August 2022, gategroup committed to purchasing 100% cage-free egg products (including shell eggs, liquid eggs, and mixes containing more than 80% egg) by the end of 2025. Progress in certain regions has been slower than expected due to the limited market availability of processed ingredients that meet all of our quality requirements (e.g., pasteurized eggs). However, 55% of the relevant egg products purchased globally by gategroup in 2024 were cage-free. This shows our strong commitment and progress to the topic as we have grown the physical supply of cage-free eggs from 27% in 2022, 43% in 2023 to 55% in 2024.
Despite our commitment, we see that meeting the original target deadline of 2025 is not going to be possible, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to shift all the egg products in our supply chain towards cage-free (and better than cage-free). As an example, our egg products in the UK come from chickens raised in free-range farms. To facilitate the transition, we continue working with the Lever Foundation and other animal welfare organizations to expand cage-free options worldwide.
While we understand that some market participants are choosing cage-free egg certificates, we as gategroup are focusing on ensuring a real cage-free physical supply to our locations of operation. We believe that this approach in the long run is more beneficial for achieving real results for animal welfare.
Plan of action to achieve 100% cage-free
We aim to fulfil our global plans to achieve a supply chain of 100% cage free eggs by 2028, subject to the availability of our required raw materials.
In our operations across the globe, due to the strict food safety considerations, we are looking for egg products that meet the following requirements and look forward to engaging with manufacturers & processors to achieve our goal of seamless supply:
• Pasteurized liquid cage-free egg available in required quantity
• Supply to all our operations and delivery locations, including defined specifications and respective food safety certification
• Culinary and economic acceptance to support our Chefs tailormade creations
• Guaranteed quantities not effected by market disturbances (e.g., avian flu outbreaks or other)
Regional breakdown
Updated progress report including regional breakdown:
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2028 | |
Reporting Region | actual | actual | actual | target |
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Europe | 43% | 55% | 76% | 100% |
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North America | 32% | 50% | 68% | 100% |
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Oceania | 9% | 97% | 40% | 100% |
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Japan | <5% | <5% | 86% | 100% |
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Korea | <5% | <5% | 25% | 100% |
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Other Asia | <5% | <5% | <5% | 100% |
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LatAm | <5% | <5% | <5% | 100% |
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Africa | <5% | <5% | <5% | 100% |
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Overall | 27% | 43% | 55% | 100% |
We are motivated by the result that we have achieved already and work together with our supply partners (and other supporters) to achieve our goal by the end of 2028.