Mercadona offers its clients eggs from chickens raised outside of cages, either from loose specimens in chicken coops or free range. In fact, currently 65% of the fresh eggs sold in its supermarkets come from cage free chickens; something that … has been temporarily altered due to the current health situation due to avian flu.
Due to bird flu outbreak that Spain and the rest of Europe are experiencing, and due to the sanitary measures that have been decreed to protect animal health, such as the confinement of chickens, the percentage has been temporarily reduced, explain sources from the distribution chain chaired by Juan Roig.
«The situation is specific and we will return to normal levels as soon as possible,” clarifies Mercadona, who began the transformation of its supplier network years ago to try to achieve 100% of eggs from cage-free hens.
Since the beginning of this initiative, Mercadona suppliers have already invested more than 200 million euros in adapting their facilities and processes towards cage-free egg production systems. This figure is expected to reach more than 400 million euros when the transformation is fully completed.
Some examples are the extensions and openings of new farms cage-free breeding of Huevos Guillén in Utiel (Valencia) with 250,000 hens, in Gáldar (Gran Canaria) with 100,000; in Bullas (Murcia) and Abárzuza in Navarra, with a total of 150,000 chickens, as well as from other Suppliers, such as Avícola Barco with 320,000 chickens loose in the chicken coop. Another important milestone is the modification of combined systems to 100% cage-free systems that all our suppliers are carrying out.
Certificate in Animal Welfare
Likewise, all suppliers of domestic fresh meat, eggs and milk must be certified in Animal Welfare by internationally recognized standards and, in addition, they must meet the validity requirements established by Mercadona. This certification must be current at all times, the Valencian firm emphasizes.
«That the animals do not go hungry or thirsty, always having access to drinking water and an adequate diet for their good health and strength. “That they are always in a suitable environment and in comfortable accommodation, with rest areas and shelters, with shade and with good air quality,” reads the purpose of Mercadona’s commitment to animal welfare.
