Iceland Foods has confirmed it will go fully cage-free across its egg supply chain by June 2027, after pausing its original 2025 target due to supply chain pressures and the cost-of-living crisis.

The frozen food specialist says the new date follows extensive work with suppliers and builds on its recent RSPCA Assured barn egg pilot in 35 stores, before expanding nationally by January 2026.

Iceland, the UK’s fourth-largest retailer of caged eggs, said sales of these products have dropped nearly 15% in the past year, reinforcing the case for change.

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“We’ve always been honest about the challenge of balancing improved animal welfare with the urgent need to help families through the cost-of-living crisis,” Iceland director of product, process and sustainability Stuart Lendrum.

“That’s why we never stopped offering free-range eggs, and why we introduced barn eggs as an affordable additional higher welfare option.”

“Now, after months of work with our suppliers, we’re pleased to set a new timeline delivering investment and increased capacity in British barn egg production enabling our transition to cage-free by June 2027.

“This is the right route to protect both affordable choice and welfare and reflects our ‘Doing it Right’ commitment in action.”

“We value constructive engagement, but we also have a responsibility to our customers. This is a plan that delivers on both fronts.”

The move follows suit of many big names in the industry, including Aldi, which last year stopped selling eggs from caged hens, hitting its target to go cage-free “more than a year ahead of schedule”.