Ahold Delhaize has pushed back its target date for transitioning to selling only cage-free eggs in the U.S. as it contends with issues related to supply, affordability and customer demand for the products.
The Dutch grocery company now expects that cage-free eggs will represent 70% of its egg sales by the end of 2030 and intends to entirely shift to cage-free eggs by the end of 2032, according to a Monday announcement. Ahold Delhaize had pledged in 2019 to move to a 100% cage-free shell egg assortment in its U.S. banners by 2025.
Ahold Delhaize said that it plans to push up the percentage of both private label and national brand cage-free shelled eggs it sells starting next year. The grocery company noted that factors including legislation and regulatory requirements surrounding programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children would play a role in its ability to meet its new goals.
“As with many complex sustainability topics, we recognize that obstacles remain; yet we remain committed to working with other key stakeholders to advance progress on this journey, as we know achieving our ambition requires deep collaboration, as well as innovation in the supply chain and affordability for customers,” Marc Stolzman, chief sustainability officer for Ahold Delhaize USA, said in a statement.
Ahold Delhaize also said it intends to test signage that distinguishes cage-free eggs next year.
The company also said Monday that it plans to move to 100% group-housed pork for fresh whole muscle, single ingredient private label and national brand varieties of the meat by the end of 2028.
