CONCERNS over food safety, animal welfare standards, and changing consumer preferences are driving a shift in how Philippine retailers source eggs, with a growing number of chains expanding cage-free options and setting timelines to phase out caged eggs entirely.
CONCERNS over food safety, animal welfare standards, and changing consumer preferences are driving a shift in how Philippine retailers source eggs, with a growing number of chains expanding cage-free options and setting timelines to phase out caged eggs entirely. epa11259855 A delivery worker carries trays of eggs at a market in Marikina City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 05 April 2024.
Overall inflation in the Philippines increased to 3.7 percent in March 2024 from 3.4 percent in February 2024, bringing the national average since the beginning of the year to 3.3 percent. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA A growing body of peer-reviewed research suggests that well-managed cage-free egg production can help reduce the risk of Salmonella contamination compared with conventional caged systems.
The Philippine government also recognized the importance of the transition in 2020, when the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards developed a comprehensive animal welfare guidelines for cage-free egg production. Beyond regulatory and health considerations, a growing number of consumers are choosing to leave eggs off their plates entirely, reflecting a broader shift in how Filipinos think about food and its impact.
Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. These factors form the backdrop for measurable progress reported in the 2026 Philippine Retailer Industry Cage-Free Egg Progress Report released by Lever Foundation, an international nongovernment organization advancing humane and sustainable protein supply chains across Asia.
"The Philippine retail sector is taking meaningful steps toward more humane and sustainable sourcing," said Robyn del Rosario, Sustainability Program Lead at Lever Foundation, which collaborated with several retail groups to develop their sourcing policies. Advertisement "The progress we are seeing across the sector, from brands that have already completed their transition to cage-free to those that have set a target timeline for shifting 100 percent of their eggs to cage-free and are steadily building toward that goal, reflects a growing recognition that animal welfare, food safety, and sustainability are essential business priorities," del Rosario said.
Retailers report gains in cage-free sourcing According to the report, which evaluated 23 leading retail brands, three chains have already completed a full shift to cage-free eggs across all stores: Heyday, Healthy Options, and FreshStart. E-commerce pioneer MetroMart follows closely, with 90 percent of its egg options cage-free. Seven of the 23 brands evaluated have set a timeline for ending the sale of caged eggs across all operations. Advertisement New commitments also emerged during the reporting period.
EveGrocer, an e-commerce retailer operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, and other key cities, has expanded the share of cage-free eggs it sells to 50 percent in coordination with local government units , with a pledge to reach 100 percent cage-free sourcing by 2028. Metro Retail, which operates more than 70 stores across Metro Manila, Luzon, and the Visayas, has reached 26 percent cage-free eggs across its egg brands and has committed to 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2033.
All brands under SM Retail — including Walter Mart, SM Supermarket, and Alfamart — have transitioned 20 percent to 40 percent of their egg stock keeping units to cage-free as the group works on a broader cage-free egg policy. Sector-wide movement and remaining gaps Advertisement The remaining retailers that have so far not set a timeline for ending the sale of caged eggs include Unimart, Cash&Carry, Landers, S&R, Ever Supermarket, Shopwise, Landmark, The Marketplace, South Supermarket, Puregold, All Day Supermarket, Robinsons Easymart, Dali, O!
Save, Super8, and MerryMart. The 2026 report evaluates retail brands on two dimensions: the proportion of egg SKUs currently sourced from cage-free farms, and the existence of a policy commitment to reach 100 percent cage-free sourcing within a specific timeframe. The retail sector's progress mirrors broader movement in the Philippine food industry.
Nearly 80 percent of leading restaurant chains and nearly 85 percent of leading hotel groups across the country have already set timelines for phasing out the use of caged eggs. Del Rosario said that they are encouraged by the momentum they are seeing and confident that more retailers will set their own policy goals for shifting to 100 percent cage-free egg sourcing.
Advertisement "We at Lever Foundation are eager to collaborate with additional retailers and share the learnings from those who have already begun or made the transition successfully. Cage-free sourcing is fast becoming the baseline expectation from consumers and the competitive standard in the Philippine market,” he said.
Please follow us on Google to support usAnimal Welfare Philippine Retailers Cage-Free Eggs Salmonella Contamination Animal Welfare Guidelines Cage-Free Egg Production Consumer Preferences Sustainability Humane Protein Supply Philippine Retail Sector Sustainability Program Cage-Free Sourcing Retail Brands Metromart E-Commerce Metro Retail SM Retail Egg Policy Retail Chains Restaurant Chains Hotel Groups Lever Foundation
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tropical Storm Josie to Exit Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday EveningTropical Storm Josie is moving northwestward and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday evening, according to PAGASA. As of 4 a.m., the storm's center was located 1,085 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa. Josie is moving at 25 km/h with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 480 km from the center. PAGASA states Josie is less likely to directly affect the country's weather. The Southwest Monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro. Coastal and upland areas exposed to winds may experience dangerous sea conditions with waves up to 3.0 meters in some areas. Mariners, especially those operating small seacrafts or motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea or take precautionary measures.
Read more »
Philippine Healthcare Leadership and Global Health OpportunitiesThe Philippines can strengthen its healthcare system while also cultivating leadership abroad, positioning it to respond to global health challenges and help shape them. The end of a consequential chapter for Philippine healthcare under the leadership of Dr. Jaime E. Herbosa, who assumed the presidency of the World Health Assembly in 2025, marks a significant achievement. As the Department of Health (DOH) begins a new chapter under Secretary Jose 'Brix' Pujalte Jr., congratulations are in order.
Read more »
Tropical Storm Josie Enters Philippine Area of Responsibility but Expected to Move Northeastward Without Direct ImpactThe Philippine weather agency Pagasa reported that Tropical Storm Josie, the 10th storm of 2026, has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The storm, maximum sustained winds of 65 kph, is moving northwestward but forecast to turn northeastward and weaken into a tropical depression within 12 hours, likely exiting PAR by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, parts of the country including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon 'habagat', while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to overcast skies with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms.
Read more »
Philippine Disaster Council Reports 23 Dead, 18 Missing from Monsoon and Cyclone IndayThe National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports 23 fatalities and 18 missing persons due to the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Cyclone Inday, affecting nearly 800,000 people across twelve regions. Validation of casualties is ongoing, with only one death confirmed so far. Significant infrastructure and housing damage has been recorded, and government assistance has reached P40.4 million.
Read more »