#tbt: Costco said there weren’t enough cage-free eggs

In 2007, Costco Wholesale Corp. said there was not enough cage-free egg production for the company to have a cage-free purchasing policy. Now, nine years later, the company has announced its intent to commit to change to cage-free eggs in its stores.

Andrea Gantz
Andrea Gantz

From WATTAgNet:

In 2007, Costco Wholesale Corp. said there was not enough cage-free egg production for the company to have a cage-free purchasing policy. Now, nine years later, the company has announced its intent to commit to change to cage-free eggs in its stores.

In 2007, Costco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Merchandising Craig Jelinek said in the Portland Oregonian that the company had set a goal of offering eggs only from cage-free layers. But U.S. egg producers did not supply enough cage-free eggs to meet Costco’s needs then, he said.

While the company has not yet revealed a timeline when it would fully transition into selling only cage-free eggs, it stated that it is working with its suppliers to determine when a realistic transition goal would be.

Costco issued the following statement on its website: “Costco is committed to going cage‐free for its egg procurement. Since 2006, we have already substantially increased our percentage of cage‐free eggs: in fiscal 2006 cage‐free eggs represented 2 percent of eggs we sold and today they represent 26 percent. In calendar 2016 we expect to sell over 1 billion cage free eggs.”

With the announcement, Costco joins a large list of companies announcing a transition to cage-free eggs. Others to make a commitment include  McDonald’s, Subway, Shake Shack, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jack in the Box, Qdoba, Taco Bell, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Caribou Coffee, Panera Bread, Arby’s, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Corporation, General Mills, Kellogg, and Hilton Hotels. 


Costco: Not enough cage-free eggs

Costco Wholesale Corp. officials planned to offer eggs only from cage-free layers, but the company hasn't found the supply it needs.

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