Campaign calls out harmful egg production practices, calls for ethical farming

More than one billion chickens are killed annually in the South African poultry industry, and in excess of 27 million hens are used as egg layers, with 86% of these hens confined in battery cages, unable to live naturally.

Now civil society groups are urging key role players in the South African egg industry to reject what they say are “cruel and unsustainable systems, such as battery cages, and to make independent, ethical business choices”, according to the Eggsposure Campaign launched in March 2025. 

The campaign calls for transparency and accountability from the food industry in South Africa, specifically, the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA). 

In a Daily Maverick interview, Zwelisha Shobede, Cage-Free Coordinator at the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI),  said the aim of the campaign is to get all relevant stakeholders to address unsustainable practices. This includes moving towards free-range egg production and creating policies such as labelling how eggs are produced so the consumer can make informed decisions.

According to FoodPrint, while cage egg production may seem environmentally efficient due to factors such as manure management and feed efficiency, “the overall environmental impact of cage-free eggs is often lower, with cage-free systems requiring less land and water, and having lower carbon footprints.” 

Cage-free farming also provides a healthier, more natural environment for hens because they have a diverse diet, eating grasses, seeds and insects.

The campaign, led by the SAFCEI and Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA), claims CGCSA’s actions “obstruct civil society engagement, suppress consumer and constitutional rights, hinder transparency, and support cruel and outdated systems — such as battery cages for egg-laying hens.

“South Africans, including faith communities and ethical consumers, are calling for change,” says Shobede.

“Battery cages are not just cruel — they are unnecessary. The industry needs to be prepared to listen to the growing demand for humane, transparent, and sustainable food systems,” Shobede added.

South African battery chickens in a poultry farm in Cape Town. (Photo: EPA / Nic Bothma)

‘Blocking’ public transparency

A Nutrifresh Eggs factory in Howick, in July 2021. (Photo: Gallo Images / Deon Raath)

Open Letter 

• Promote consumer and constitutional rights and values, including those which assist with informed choice and promote the protection of the environment;


• Foster accountability by retracting problematic statements and promoting open dialogue;


• Refrain from engaging in potentially collusive practices by acting independently in the best interests of members without undue influence from other industry bodies; and


• Engage effectively with the public and concerned organisations and encourage effective engagement by members, including through appropriate multi-stakeholder fora.