Estonian Egg Producers Voluntarily Move Away from Cages, Government Opposes Ban
Estonia's Ministry of Economy does not support a ban on new cage poultry farms, fearing competition from Latvia and Lithuania. Meanwhile, major producers like Dava Foods are gradually transitioning to alternative systems.
The Estonian Ministry of Economy has rejected a bill that would ban the construction of new cage hen farms from the beginning of 2027. The ministry believes such a move would put local producers at a disadvantage compared to neighboring countries.
If Estonia imposes the ban unilaterally while Latvia and Lithuania continue to allow cage egg production, it could lead to increased competition from cheaper imports, according to ETV+'s "Aktuaalne kaamera" news program.
Allan Tohver, head of one of Estonia's largest egg producers Dava Foods Estonia, agrees with this position. He says the cheapest eggs in Estonian stores currently come mainly from caged hens, with a significant portion imported from Latvia and Lithuania.
"If we adopt the ban only in Estonia, we would essentially be playing into the hands of producers in neighboring countries," Tohver noted.
However, major Estonian producers are gradually abandoning cage systems in anticipation of possible EU-wide regulation. Dava Foods, along with other companies, has signed a declaration of intent to phase out cage farms entirely by 2035.
The company has already invested 3.5 million euros in transitioning to alternative housing systems for laying hens. Currently, about 25% of its production comes from hens kept in barns with perches rather than cages.
The retail chain Selver notes that demand for higher-welfare eggs remains limited. About 15% of customers choose free-range or organic eggs.
Selver stores offer more than 30 types of eggs. Approximately 88% are produced in Estonia, 12% come from Latvia, and all quail eggs are of Estonian origin.
According to Selver press secretary Mariann Järvela, the primary criterion for buyers remains product origin—many prefer Estonian eggs. However, price is the next important factor.
Customers themselves admit that they most often choose eggs based on price, and for many, the conditions in which the hens are kept are not yet a decisive factor.
