Several retailers in the Philippines are transitioning to selling exclusively cage-free eggs, responding to growing consumer demand for more sustainable and humane food options. According to information received by Sustainable Food Business, companies including MetroMart, Fresh Start Organics, and premium retailers like Healthy Options and Santis Delicatessen are part of this movement.
Recent research indicates that 75% of Filipino consumers actively seek brands offering ways to offset environmental impact. This shift in consumer behavior has led to increased demand for eco-conscious, healthier, and responsibly sourced food products, with millennials leading the post-pandemic trend toward more nutritious food choices.
Currently, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports that 84% of eggs in the Philippines come from battery-caged hens. However, this is changing as more egg farmers in the country transition to cage-free farming practices in response to commitments from leading brands.
Leading retailers’ cage-free egg commitments
MetroMart, the country’s largest e-commerce grocery delivery platform with over 1 million users, has announced plans to sell only cage-free eggs by 2025. The platform, which connects consumers with local supermarkets including The Marketplace, Marks & Spencer, Landmark, and All Day Supermarket, currently serves Manila and Cebu regions with plans for nationwide expansion.
Fresh Start Organics specializes in organic farming and environmental responsibility, providing a range of products sourced from its organic farms. Sustainable Food Business has confirmed from sources in the country that the company exclusively sells cage-free eggs at all outlets, including its physical retail store and e-commerce store. The company also operates a café and a range of sister brands within the same compound, all of which provide or serve only cage-free eggs.
Meanwhile, Healthy Options, the country’s largest all-natural and organic products retailer, offers only cage-free and pasture-raised eggs at all stores as part of their commitment to providing high-quality, natural products. According to their website, these eggs are “all-natural, cage-free, and pasture-raised eggs”.
Santis Delicatessen, a premium food retailer recommended by locals for high-quality imported products with 12 branches across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has also been observed carrying only cage-free egg options across all outlets. Sustainable Food Business has confirmed that the company’s restaurant operations are included in this commitment as well, reflecting the growing premium market demand for sustainable products.
Environmental and safety benefits
Research from the European Food Safety Authority indicates that caged egg farms are up to 25 times more likely to be infected with key strains of salmonella than cage-free farms. The production of battery cage eggs has already been prohibited throughout the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and parts of the United States.
This transition by Philippine retailers reflects a broader global movement toward more sustainable and humane food production methods, addressing both environmental concerns and consumer safety preferences in the food retail sector.
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