Report: Polish Egg Market and Transition to Cage-Free Systems

As 2025 approaches, the deadline for many companies to fulfil their commitments to transition away from caged eggs draws near. In addition to publishing our EU EggTrack “spotlights”, highlighting how companies are progressing in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Poland, we have also released our latest report on the Polish egg market and its potential for a shift to cage-free farming.

Report: Polish Egg Market and Transition to Cage-Free Systems

The report “Polish Egg Market and Transition to Cage-Free Systems”, developed in collaboration with Credit Agricole Bank Poland, provides and in-depth analysis of the current state of the Polish market and the prospects for transitioning to cage-free systems.

Key Highlights:

• Poland is a key player in the European egg market, producing 8.2% of the EU's total eggs in 2023, making it the 5th largest producer among EU countries.
• The distribution of laying hens in Poland in 2023 was:
  • 21.5% barn systems
  • 6.8% free-range systems
  • 1.6% in organic systems.

• Cage-free egg retail sales have significantly increased, from 23% in 2020 to 59% in 2023.
• Poland has the highest number of hens in cages in Europe, with approximately 35 million caged hens out of over 50 million total laying hens at the end of 2023.

The report delves into the production, consumption, and export of eggs from Poland, alongside a detailed cost analysis of cage versus alternative systems. Notably, while barn egg production is about 20% more expensive than cage systems, and free-range farming about 30% more, stable market conditions and a "welfare premium" often make alternative systems more profitable.

Opportunities for Growth: Polish production in non-cage systems is competitive within Europe, offering significant opportunities for producers who transition to higher welfare systems. With growing consumer awareness in Poland, we anticipate an acceleration in the shift to cage-free farming in 2025.

Read the full report (in Polish)

EggTrack Spotlight Poland 2024 

The EggTrack Spotlight Poland 2024 aims to provide a transparent overview of how companies are progressing towards their cage-free egg commitments by 2025. The report categorises companies based on their current status in phasing out cages:

• Leaders: Companies that have achieved 100% cage-free status in all categories.

• In Progress: Companies that have implemented more than 80% of their cage-free commitments in one or both egg categories (shell and private label) OR have shown significant progress in the other category since the last reporting period.
• At Risk: Companies with less than 80% transition in one or both egg categories (shell, private label), OR are not reporting in one category and have less than 80% progress in the other, OR have no commitments in all egg categories.
• Laggards: Companies that are not reporting any progress and are not meeting their commitments.

Spotlight on 16 companies in Poland 

Leaders (2):

• Biedronka  
• Żabka Group

In Progess (5):  

• Kaufland Poland
• Netto Poland
• Carrefour Poland
• Lidl Poland
• Schiever Poland  

At Risk (3):  These companies have committed to phasing out cage eggs but are struggling to meet the 2025 deadline. Aldi Poland and Auchan Poland report only on the implementation of own-brand eggs, while still selling cage eggs from other producers. Intermarche Poland has started reporting on both egg categories, but the level of implementation is low:

• Aldi Poland
• Auchan Poland
• Intermarche Poland  

Laggards (6):   These companies have not reported any progress to fulfill their commitments:

• E. Wedel (Lotte Wedel)
• Eurocash S.A.
• Grupa Dino
• E.Leclerc Poland
• Stokrotka
• Polomarket  

Corporate Transparency and Responsibility: Transparency is a crucial component of corporate responsibility. The companies categorised as Laggards have not provided updates on their progress, leaving consumers uncertain about their dedication to meeting their commitments.

“The EggTrack Spotlight 2024 highlights the companies making strides towards their 2025 commitments and those falling behind," said Lidia Krawczyk, Food Business Manager Poland. "To permanently eliminate cage farming, the Polish government and the European Commission must enact supportive regulations. Without these, Polish caged egg production risks being exported to other EU countries for processing. Legislative changes and financial support for farmers are vital to ensure a successful transition and to protect the European market from low-welfare imports."

Read more about EggTrack