Aldi has hit its target to sell 100 per cent cage-free eggs in its UK stores more than a year ahead of schedule.

The budget supermarket has been working with suppliers to improve hen welfare in recent years.

It has invested £50 million into UK egg farming and producers over the past 24 months.

According to recent data from Kantar, Aldi now sells more British free-range eggs than any other UK supermarket.

“Improving animal welfare is incredibly important to us at Aldi, and by working with our suppliers we have been able to hit our 100% cage-free target more than a year early," said Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying, Aldi. “Our British suppliers are at the heart of our business and without them Aldi wouldn’t be where it is today and we are proud to work with so many UK egg farmers.”

Earlier this year, rival Lidl said it was increasing the space allocated to its own-label fresh chickens by 20 per cent above the industry standard to enforce its commitment to ethical sourcing and improved animal welfare.

The budget supermarket has been working with its suppliers to reduce the stocking density to 30kg per square metre, which it says will improve the living conditions of the birds.

The transition started in the summer, with Lidl expecting all of its own-label chicken supply to meet the new standards by 2025.

Last year, Lidl UK also announced an exclusive partnership with Kipster to sell more environmentally friendly eggs.

The Dutch egg farmer says it has the highest welfare standards, while its eggs produce significantly less carbon, with the remaining offset through the purchase of carbon credits.

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