Sundaily to invest in China’s largest cage-free egg farm
The facility in Sichuan Province is expected to house up to one million hens and produce a range of egg products.
CHINA – Sundaily, China’s second-largest egg producer, is constructing what will be the country’s largest single-site cage-free egg farm in Jian’ge County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province.
The company, which ranks among the top 12 egg producers globally, has partnered with retailers such as JD, Sam’s Club, and Walmart, as well as foodservice providers, hotels, and restaurant chains.
The farm will initially house 300,000 hens, with plans to expand to one million within three to five years.
It will also feature egg processing facilities to produce shell eggs, liquid eggs, powdered eggs, and other processed egg products.
The shift towards cage-free production aligns with changing consumer preferences and growing awareness of food safety and animal welfare.
Many consumers in China are increasingly favoring eggs from hens raised in environments that allow natural behaviors.
Lei Bo, vice chairman of Techlex Group, which owns Sundaily, said that global demand for cage-free eggs has increased due to shifting consumer expectations.
He added that Sundaily aims to provide high-quality eggs that meet these evolving preferences.
Battery cage systems have faced criticism over the years due to their impact on animal welfare, with restricted movement and limited space for hens.
Cage-free environments, on the other hand, offer better conditions by allowing the birds to move freely, access perches, and engage in natural behaviors such as dust bathing.
The new farm will be designed to improve these conditions by incorporating more space, natural light, and environmental enrichment for the hens.
Studies suggest that hens in cage-free systems experience lower stress levels, leading to better egg production and quality.
According to Mutzu Huang, programme director at Shanghai-based consultancy Lever China, the development of this facility represents a shift in China’s approach to food quality and animal welfare standards.
A 2021 survey by Lever China and food media agency FTA found that 60% of Chinese consumers prefer food companies to source eggs from cage-free farms.
The same study revealed that 75% of respondents are more likely to support brands that exclusively use cage-free eggs.
Cage-free production is also associated with lower risks of contamination.
Research by the European Food Safety Authority indicates that cage-free farms have significantly lower rates of salmonella infection compared to conventional systems.
Sundaily plans to launch the Guangyuan facility in 2025, positioning itself as a key player in China’s transition to more ethical and sustainable egg production.
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