Dutch distiller and liqueur manufacturer De Kuyper Royal Distillers has recently announced a commitment to the responsible sourcing of eggs. Annually using approximately 19 million eggs, De Kuyper has set a goal to exclusively use cage-free eggs by 2030 across its entire supply chain, transitioning towards free-range eggs.
This policy, developed with Humane Society International/Europe, positions De Kuyper as one of the first global distillers to make such a commitment. The company currently stands as a global market-leading producer of liqueurs. It is also one of the largest producers of egg liqueur in the world, distilling for its own brands as well as other leading retailers in Europe.
“As a socially responsible company, we are proud to present our first animal welfare policy and take steps towards higher animal welfare standards to become future-proof.”
De Kuyper’s move towards cage-free and eventually free-range egg production systems reflects an increasing market demand for responsibly sourced eggs among consumers. This shift aligns with the actions of other major consumer goods companies like PepsiCo, Unilever, Mondelez, and Nestlé, who have also pledged to cease using eggs from caged hens.
“As a company with more than 325 years of history, De Kuyper Royal Distillers has always been able to adapt to changing times and changing customer and consumer demands, and this is no different when it comes to animal welfare,” said CEO Mark de Witte. “As a socially responsible company, we are proud to present our first animal welfare policy and take steps towards higher animal welfare standards to become future-proof.”
De Kuyper: A leading global distiller to adopt cage-free policy
The European Commission has indicated plans to propose ending caged confinement for farmed animals, though the timeline for this remains uncertain. This follows the highly successful End the Cage Age European Citizens Initiative, which was supported by 1.4 million EU citizens.
The Humane Society International/Europe affirmed that the increasing number of businesses prioritizing responsible egg production evidences strong support for enhanced animal welfare standards in Europe.
“De Kuyper Royal Distillers has taken an important step by including animal welfare in its responsible sourcing strategy,” said Elise Allart, corporate engagement director. “The company sources exclusively cage-free eggs not only for its liqueurs, but also for the products served in the canteens to its employees. The policy also reaffirms the long-lasting commitment of De Kuyper to not test its products on animals, or to implement protecting practices that involve any form of cruelty to animals, for instance in their marketing activities.”
According to the Humane Society International/Europe, a significant portion of the global egg industry confines hens to cramped battery cages. Although barren battery cages were phased out in the EU by 2012, enriched cages still confine over 40% of hens in the European Union. Cage-free and free-range systems, which De Kuyper is transitioning towards, offer a more humane alternative, allowing hens to exhibit natural behaviors.
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