WattAgNet: Costco committing to cage-free eggs

Written January 4, 2016 By Roy Graber
Company working with suppliers to determine a reasonable goal to complete transition

Costco Wholesale Corporation has announced its intent to commit to change to cage-free eggs in its stores.

While the company has not yet revealed a timeline when it would fully transition into selling only cage-free eggs, it did state that it is working with its suppliers to determine when a realistic transition goal would be.

Costco issued the following statement on its website: “Costco is committed to going cage?free for its egg procurement. Since 2006, we have already substantially increased our percentage of cage?free eggs: in fiscal 2006 cage?free eggs represented 2 percent of eggs we sold and today they represent 26 percent. In calendar 2016 we expect to sell over one billion cage free eggs. We are working with our suppliers toward a complete and sustainable transition to a cage?free supply chain. This transition, however, will take time because currently over 90 percent of the supply of eggs is from caged hens and because other retailers and restaurants are also moving to cage free requirements, placing greater demands on the limited supply.”

With the announcement, Costco joins a large list of companies announcing a transition to cage-free eggs. Others to make a commitment include  McDonald’s, Subway, Shake Shack, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jack in the Box, Qdoba, Taco Bell, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Caribou Coffee, Panera Bread, Arby’s, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corporation, General Mills, Kellogg, and Hilton Hotels.