Who is moving Ukraine towards a cage-free future − and who is being left behind?

World Egg Day is usually a celebration for the egg industry. But with an estimated 40–50 million hens in Ukraine still confined in barren battery cages, there is little to celebrate. The real question is which international companies are prepared to help change that − and which are choosing to stand still.

Companies showing that progress is possible

McDonald's Ukraine and Danone have publicly disclosed cage-free policies and continue to report on their progress. Their transparency shows that even during challenging times, businesses can take concrete steps to improve the lives of millions of hens and strengthen accountability within their supply chains.

Auchan stands out for the wrong reason

As an international retailer with cage-free commitments across multiple countries, Auchan has already recognised that hens deserve better than cages. Yet Ukraine remains an explicit exception to those commitments. While other companies are moving forward, Auchan continues to apply a different standard in Ukraine than it does elsewhere.

This is not simply a missing policy; it is a widening credibility gap. Companies operating across borders should ensure hens are not confined in cages wherever they operate, rather than excluding Ukraine from policies already adopted elsewhere. Commitments from major retailers can stimulate local demand, give producers confidence to invest in cage-free systems, and accelerate progress for millions of hens. By failing to extend its pledge to Ukraine, Auchan is not just lagging behind its peers − it is holding back momentum that the market urgently needs.

"The very best thing consumers can do is choose egg-free options. But the very least companies can do is ensure hens are not confined in cages. They can do much more, but certainly not less. By excluding Ukraine from its cage-free commitment, Auchan is denying countless hens the same opportunity for progress that animals in other countries are already benefiting from"

− Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882

Ukraine's path towards a cage-free future

As Ukraine moves closer to European Union integration, aligning with efforts to end cage systems will be an important part of its agricultural transition. The shift away from cages is already under way in many countries, and Ukraine − home to some of the world’s largest egg producers − cannot ignore the millions of hens unable to spread their wings or carry out basic natural behaviours.

The reality behind egg production

Behind every corporate policy are real animals whose lives are shaped by business decisions. Today, an estimated 40–50 million hens in Ukraine remain in caged systems that severely restrict movement and prevent natural behaviours, including nesting, perching, dustbathing and foraging.

Public concern for farmed animals is growing in Ukraine. A recent survey indicates that almost half of Ukrainians support a transition towards cage-free egg production. Consumers increasingly expect businesses to show responsibility and transparency throughout their supply chains. Corporate commitments can create the momentum for industry-wide change – progress that might otherwise take years.

Why corporate commitments matter

World Egg Day should not simply celebrate eggs and the companies that sell them. It should focus attention on the choices those companies make. Through years of persistent corporate outreach and campaigning, Project 1882 helped drive Sweden’s transition towards a cage-free future. It is now bringing the same determination to Ukraine.

The transition is achievable. Companies such as McDonald’s Ukraine and Danone are showing what action looks like. Auchan is showing how far a major international retailer can fall behind. The question is no longer whether change is possible − it is how long Auchan will continue to exclude Ukraine from the progress for hens it has promised elsewhere.