“Cage-free doesn’t mean costly”: Aldi’s own price report proves it

Los Angeles, California – While the meat industry claims that cage-free policies would spike grocery prices—even alleging these policies caused the skyrocketing egg prices—global animal protection organization Animal Equality believes it has found proof otherwise. The organization points to Aldi’s own “Price Leadership Report,” featured in Forbes, which recognizes the grocery chain as a leader in affordability—even in cage-restricted markets like California. Despite this evidence that humane practices are affordable, Aldi continues to fall behind in making cage-free a nationwide standard.

Across the country, consumers are prioritizing low prices at the grocery store, but that doesn’t mean they want low standards. Aldi has proven for itself that cage-free doesn’t mean costly, yet the chain refuses to end the cruel confinement of pigs and hens in its nationwide supply chain.

—Dr. Devon Dear, Animal Equality’s Institutional Outreach Manager

The shift in consumer sentiment towards animals is shown by the restriction of cages for mother pigs and hens in nearly a dozen U.S. states, including California. California’s landmark Proposition 12, approved by voters in 2018, established minimum space requirements for these animals. Traditionally, farmed pigs are confined to crates so small they cannot turn around, while hens are packed into cages where they cannot spread their wings.

Other grocery chains, such as Costco and Safeway, have begun phasing out cages to align with these evolving consumer expectations. A recent Forbes article on the rise of “cage-free meat and eggs” called out Aldi as lagging behind competitors in this area. Ironically, the article came on the heels of Aldi’s own pricing report, which showed the company maintains the same low prices in California’s cage-free market as it does in other states—offering groceries at prices 65% lower than national brands.

“Aldi’s California operations prove it’s possible to eliminate cruel farming practices without raising prices,” shares Dr. Dear. “So, we want to know: Why won’t Aldi make this change nationwide?”

Animal Equality campaigns push companies to end practices they say are “inhumane by the standards of consumers, animal welfare scientists, and experts,” like the confinement of animals. Their team has been campaigning against the grocery chain since January 2024, protesting across the United States and in Aldi’s home country of Germany. The organization argues that Aldi’s reluctance to go cage-free is out of step with both consumer sentiment and the company’s ability to lead on humane practices without compromising affordability.

ABOUT ANIMAL EQUALITY:

Animal Equality is an international organization working with society, governments, and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality works effectively for animals through investigations, corporate campaigns and legal advocacy in the United States, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and India.