Latin American and Asian companies say ‘no’ to battery cages

After conversations with Act for Farmed Animals, a coalition between Sinergia Animal and Indonesian animal protection organization Animal Friends Jogja, Indonesian brand Ismaya Group has recently announced a cage-free policy for egg-laying hens in their supply chain. Latin American pizza chain Almacén de Pizzas also committed to only sourcing its products from suppliers that guarantee to not keep hens in battery cage systems.

Founded in 2003, lifestyle brand Ismaya Group committed to a transition to a 100% cage-free eggs supply chain. With more than 60 locations globally and 20 other brands under its umbrella, the company is also present in the hospitality industry, mainly in Asia (including Indonesia). Ismaya Group’s transition is set to be completed by 2028.

With 25 locations in Latin American countries including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru, pizza parlor chain Almacén Pizza announced a policy to only use hen eggs that are not sourced from battery cage systems. The policy, which will be fully completed by 2025, will be applied to all of the company's locations.

A battery cage is the most common form of housing for hens that lay eggs in industrial agricultural settings, and the impact this system has on hens is profound. The cages house on average 5 to 10 hens , providing each bird with less space than an A4 sheet of paper. The cramped space prevents the chickens from performing natural behaviors such as nesting or spreading their wings completely.

Sinergia Animal uses dialogue, negotiations, and awareness campaigns to encourage major food companies to adopt cage-free policies in their supply chains.

Confinement in cages can cause hens immense suffering and frustration throughout their lives. This adoption of cage-free policies is a big advance that will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of hens in Latin America and Asia.