Taiyuan, Shanxi Nov 19, 2025  – More than 1,500 leaders in the egg industry convened at the 7th China Egg Industry Conference. The focus was on tackling key issues and identifying strategies to modernize the sector through large-scale, branded, digitalized, and smart production methods.

The summit, held from October 26-28, is a major national event for the egg industry. It attracted representatives from over 800 companies, uniting government, industry, academia, and research to strengthen the industry and address challenges such as domestic overproduction, low prices, and increasing international welfare standards.

Wang Zhongqiang, President of the Beijing Egg Processing and Sales Industry Association, hosted the opening ceremony. Speakers outlined a plan for industrial growth focusing on policy, technology, coordination, and value enhancement, emphasizing the need for stronger integration across the industrial chain.

With egg prices at a yearly low, the Forum on Egg Pricing Logic and Future Pricing Model was a key event. Major industry participants discussed the factors influencing egg prices, shortcomings in current pricing models, and ways to create a more scientific approach. The forum set the stage for a rational pricing system to support market stability and sustainable industry growth, which are crucial as producers seek solutions amidst price fluctuations.

The Cage-Free Symposium, sponsored and organized by Lever China, had around 200 attendees, including leading cage-free egg producers and major egg producers with cage-free capabilities. Mutzu Huang, Program Director at Lever China, stated that Chinese producers who implement cage-free systems are positioning themselves for international trade and premium markets, presenting a strategic opportunity for rapid advancement.

Major importers, including the EU, the US, and key Asian markets, are increasing welfare standards, making cage-free certification more important for market access. Zhongqiang noted a fundamental shift in global procurement, with multinational food companies, hotel chains, and retailers adopting cage-free commitments throughout their supply chains. He added that producers who transition now can secure valuable contracts before cage-free becomes a requirement.

The symposium highlighted the growing momentum of the cage-free transition in China. In 2025, leading domestic brands in various sectors committed to sourcing only cage-free eggs and chicken. Major players with over 2,250 stores combined across hotpot, café, casual dining, and pizza chains, along with seasoning manufacturer Du Feng Xuan, whose ingredients reach over 2,000 restaurant chains globally, have pledged to transition to cage-free.

On the production side, egg producers Han Wei and Shizu Black Hens, with technical support from Lever China, are building new cage-free facilities to improve living conditions for 120,000 hens.

Cage-free farming allows hens to move freely, nest, forage, and socialize – natural behaviors not possible in conventional battery cages. This leads to healthier hens and better-quality eggs. Experts presented implementation strategies, showing how intelligent monitoring and precision nutrition management can make cage-free operations profitable and welfare-friendly. These technologies improve flock health, reduce mortality, and improve feed conversion, addressing profitability concerns that have historically slowed adoption.

With several countries facing egg shortages while China maintains strong production, cage-free certification could unlock valuable export opportunities for producers.

The conference concluded with a consensus that comprehensive industry upgrades, from pricing to production, are vital for high-quality development. Early adopters of welfare-friendly systems will gain premium market positioning and set competitive standards.

Huang stated that this marks a turning point towards a more ethical and sustainable food system in China, where humane poultry sourcing is becoming the norm.

About Lever China
Lever China, based in Shanghai, is a consultancy that helps leading companies improve their food sourcing for a more humane, safe, and sustainable supply chain, focusing on improved animal protein and plant-based foods.