Cracking the code: how eggs will help meet growing global demand for protein 

The global demand for protein continues to rise and, with it, the increasing desire for convenient, affordable and nutritious meal options.  

Eggs are stepping up to the plate. 

As one of the most accessible and nutrient-dense animal proteins, eggs deliver essential nutrients in a form that fits many diets and cultures. It’s no surprise global egg consumption is projected to grow by 22% over the next 10 years — driven by rising incomes in Asia, Africa and Latin America; urbanization; and consumer demand for affordable, healthy protein. Established markets also show increasing interest in value-added products with animal welfare benefits like cage-free options.   

To meet this demand, Cargill is investing in innovation — supporting healthier hens, helping feed children through more nutritious K–12 product offerings, and helping retailers and foodservice customers meet consumer expectations for cage-free products. 

“Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse and hold enormous potential for how we’ll create a more food secure world in years to come,” says Jon Nash, executive vice president of Cargill’s Food business.  

 

Feeding intelligence: the insights redefining farming

More than 92 billion eggs are produced each year in the U.S. alone, and farmers like Sam and Dan Krouse make that a reality. Their operation, MPS Egg Farms, is a sixth-generation, family-owned shell egg farm that produces more than nine million eggs per day.  

"We really believe in the power of eggs to enable people to have good days," says Sam Krouse, co-CEO of MPS Egg Farms. "To me, they’re nature’s perfect food." 

Cargill partners with egg farmers like Sam around the world to provide feed, nutrition and health products for laying hens, and digital solutions to help manage flock health and productivity.  

Through innovative tools like Cargill’s Flockwise™ and REVEAL™ Layers that merge AI with farm data, Cargill empowers egg farmers with real-time insights to proactively support flock health, reduce feed costs, extend laying periods and help boost egg production. 

“It’s no longer about managing one flock at a time,” Sam says.” It’s about learning from all of them.” 

 

Essential nutrition, straight from nature

Eggs are one of the most efficient nutrient-delivery vehicles in the food system, as they are a good source of amino acids, vitamins (A, B12, zinc), and micronutrients like choline and selenium. They support growth, brain development and immune function, making them a core part of school meal programs. 

Cargill works with U.S. school districts to innovate and create new breakfast items using eggs that help schools meet updated USDA regulations around reduced sodium and sugar. These school nutrition standards ensure students receive a balance of nutrients in school meals that support their learning and health.  

For example, new menu innovations from Cargill reduced sugar by 34% in two different French toast offerings and sodium by 14% in the “EggStravaganza®” bacon, egg and cheese scramble. Building on market research and increased demand for on-the-go options, Cargill is also launching a new vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free egg bite next school year. 

"By proactively offering a wider variety of better-for-you breakfast solutions with eggs, we’re giving school chefs more flexibility in menu planning, while keeping the protein-packed options students and parents love," says Brande Hook, egg product line leader at Cargill.  

 

Cage-free egg success

As school selections expand, Cargill is also providing more options in how those eggs are produced — responding to shifting consumer values and animal welfare regulations. That’s where cage-free production comes in. 

Cage-free hens live in an open space, allowing them to express their natural behaviors. In the U.S., this housing includes enrichments such as perches, scratch areas and nest boxes. 

“We believe that producing high-quality eggs goes hand in hand with caring for the animals in our supply chain,” says Kristin Tupa, sustainability senior manager for Cargill’s Food business. “Through continuous research and close collaboration with our suppliers, we’re building a more humane and transparent egg supply for the future.” 

More than 60% of Cargill's eggs in the U.S. are cage free, helping customers like McDonald’s meet its goal of sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the U.S. by 2025, two years ahead of the original timeline.   

“Achieving our goal of sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in the U.S. was only possible through strong collaboration from our owner/operators, Cargill and their egg producers, and our supply chain working together as one team,” says Cesar Piña, senior vice president and North America chief supply chain officer for McDonald’s. “Together, we turned a bold commitment into action. I’m incredibly proud of the trust, innovation and long-term thinking this milestone represents, and the impact it’s had in transforming our supply chain.” 

This milestone was built on similar partnerships around the world.  

In 2023, Cargill partnered with Arcos Dorados — McDonald’s largest franchisee worldwide — to create a cage-free egg supply chain in Costa Rica. This set McDonald’s Costa Rica apart as the first across Latin America to serve 100% cage-free eggs on their menus. This milestone supported Arcos Dorados’ broader commitment to exclusively serve cage-free eggs across all its Latin American restaurants by 2025. 

Additionally, in Brazil, Cargill is transitioning to cage-free eggs for its Liza mayonnaise brand to meet rising customer and consumer demand.

 

Confidence, from farm to table

In countries like Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica, Cargill is going beyond restaurants to partner with large retailers, as well as local family-owned stores, to meet increased egg demand with budget-friendly options for everyday meals. Cargill’s fresh eggs are available across the region through the Tip-Top (Nicaragua), Norteño  (Honduras) and Pipasa y Kimby  (Costa Rica) brands.  

Through a vertically integrated supply chain of egg farmers across the region, Cargill also provides traceability details stamped on each egg, so consumers can see the clear connection from the farm to their table.  

“We’ve reimagined our egg supply model to better serve customers and consumers — from farm to shelf,” says Xavier Vargas, president of Cargill Food in Latin America. “This shift has made us more agile in meeting market demands, ensured industry-leading traceability, and strengthened our position as a trusted source of fresh, affordable protein every day.” 

 

Feeding the future, one egg at a time 

As demand for protein grows by 50% over the next three decades, eggs will remain one of the simplest, most scalable solutions. And through new innovations, global partnerships and local livelihoods, Cargill is safeguarding how this humble food continues to power a more food secure world.