GCAW Launches India Cage-Free Egg Initiative with Industry Partners to Strengthen Supply Chain

20 May 2026, New Delhi: The Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW), a corporate-led coalition focused on advancing animal welfare across food supply chains, has launched a new initiative in India aimed at supporting the development of cage-free egg supply in partnership with Global Food Partners (GFP).

The initiative seeks to help companies implement their cage-free egg commitments in India, which is the world’s second-largest egg producer with an estimated 627 million hens, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD, 2025). The project will focus on addressing market challenges including fragmented supply chains, limited availability of certified cage-free production, and the need for greater coordination among buyers and stakeholders.

Participating GCAW members currently include Compass Group, Elior Group, and Sodexo. GCAW has also invited additional companies with cage-free egg commitments in India to participate in the initiative.

The programme will be implemented in collaboration with Singapore-based consultancy Global Food Partners, which works with egg producers and food businesses across India and Asia on cage-free sourcing and production systems. GFP will serve as the in-country technical partner, supporting supplier mapping, stakeholder engagement, and market intelligence.

Collaborative Approach to Cage-Free Supply Development

The initiative will adopt a pre-competitive and collaborative framework focused on strengthening cage-free egg availability in India. Key areas of work include mapping demand for cage-free eggs among participating companies, identifying and assessing existing and potential suppliers, engaging with industry and government stakeholders, and developing a practical roadmap to expand supply capacity.

By aligning companies with shared sourcing commitments, the initiative aims to improve visibility of demand and encourage coordinated efforts toward scalable cage-free egg production in the country.

Addressing Supply Chain Challenges

Although India is among the largest egg-producing nations globally, commercial-scale cage-free egg production remains limited. Companies transitioning towards cage-free sourcing continue to face challenges related to costs, supply availability, infrastructure gaps, and inconsistent standards.

According to GCAW, the initiative is intended to support evidence-based decision-making and facilitate long-term development of the cage-free egg sector in India. The project is also expected to generate insights that may support the wider food industry as it explores cage-free sourcing models.

Dr Nathan Rhys Williams MRCVS, GCAW Secretariat, said, “Companies remain committed to making progress on cage-free sourcing, however, in markets such as India, progress depends on a clear understanding of supply, demand and feasibility. This collaboration offers a structured approach to addressing these complex cage-free egg supply challenges in India and supporting participating companies by enabling informed, strategic decision-making.”

Elissa Lane, Chief Executive Officer of Global Food Partners, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with the Global Coalition for Animal Welfare to accelerate the adoption of cage-free eggs across its members’ supply chains. By leveraging Global Food Partners’ extensive network of producers, industry stakeholders, and deep technical expertise in India, we are uniquely positioned to help bridge supply and demand while supporting food industry leaders to achieve their cage-free goals.”

She added that the partnership would support businesses through traceability models and market-specific sourcing solutions while contributing to improved animal welfare standards across the region.

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