Global Food Partners (GFP), a global consultancy helping food businesses achieve higher animal welfare standards in their supply chains, today announced it has supported Compass Group India, a leader in food services, to drive cage-free egg production and support local farmers in India.
According to the Release of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025 (2024–25) published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, the country is the world’s second-largest producer of eggs, with total production estimated at 149.11 billion eggs in 2024–25, reflecting steady year-on-year growth. However, an Ernst & Young report titled Transitioning to Cage-Free: A Roadmap for Corporates in the Egg Supply Chain highlights that a significant share of this production still relies on conventional battery cage systems, underscoring both the urgency and the opportunity to transition towards higher-welfare egg production practices.
Due to limited cage-free supplies and regional market gaps, Compass Group India is using cage-free credits to offset a portion of its caged egg purchases. GFP administers the Impact Incentives programme; cage-free credits enable food businesses to directly support egg farmers making a sustainable transition to cage-free production—while helping to build and secure future supply.
Compass Group has initially purchased around 4,000 cage-free credits in India, with each credit offsetting the purchase of 1,000 caged eggs—a total of four million eggs. The funds for this credit purchase go directly to three farms in India—U and V Agro, Hensway India, and Happy Hens Farm—to expand their cage-free capacities and invest in their logistics networks.
Via Compass Group Foundation, Compass Group India and other partners have also launched a new cage-free and free-range training centre with GFP as technical partner. The training centre, located outside of Bangalore, will support local farmers in their transitions to cage-free systems, teach best practices in egg production and management, and help farmers achieve long-term sustainability and profitability in their industry.
“Compass Group India has shown enormous leadership and innovation in not only their own cage-free commitments, but also in driving substantial, foundational change in how eggs are produced and supplied throughout India,” said GFP CEO Elissa Lane. “Their commitment to responsible sourcing extends to the new training centre that meaningfully supports farmers and strengthens the nation’s food system.”
Compass Group has published a complete Animal Welfare Progress Report for 2026 with more details.
Other industry giants that have adopted Impact Incentives as part of their cage-free strategy include Kellanova, Best Western Hotels, Lagardère Travel Retail, and PizzaExpress. By sourcing cage-free eggs whenever possible, and using cage-free credits to address any supply-chain shortfalls, companies can report 100 percent compliance with cage-free mandates. GFP currently focuses on egg production throughout Asia, and has capabilities in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Latin America.
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