Page 13 - AWA Vol.42-No.5 issue

PoulTry

Gradual Expansion Positions WMu to Become Southeast

Asia’s largest Cage-Free Egg Producer

Jakarta – Consumer awareness of food
products that are not only safe and nu-
tritious but also produced with higher
animal welfare standards has contin-
ued to grow in recent years. Alongside
this trend, demand for cage-free eggs
has shown consistent growth, encour-
aging more egg producers to explore
transitioning to or expanding cage-free
production systems. Among the most
progressive companies is PT Widodo
Makmur Unggas Tbk (WMU), whose ex-
pansion plans could position the com-
pany as the largest cage-free egg pro-
ducer in Southeast Asia.
According to Tri Mahawijaya Herlam-
bang, Marketing Director of WMU, the
market for cage-free eggs in Indone-
sia continues to expand. He noted that
growth is being driven not only by mul- safety, and animal welfare. As a publicly Group, Bali Buda, Jiwa Jawi, and many
tinational food companies but also by listed company, WMU is also committed others,” said Sandi.
a growing number of domestic busi- to sustainability. Implementing animal The growth of cage-free products is
nesses and local companies that are be- welfare practices through cage-free
ginning to source cage-free eggs. farming is one tangible example of that also reflected in consumer research
commitment,” he added. conducted by GMO Research, a Japa-
To meet the needs of this growing nese market research and consumer
market, WMU is gradually expanding Responding to the expansion plan, panel company. The survey found that
its cage-free egg production capacity Sandi Dwiyanto, Sustainable Poultry 55 percent of Indonesian consumers
from its current flock of approximately Program Manager at Lever Foundation, prefer purchasing products from brands
200,000 laying hens to 500,000 birds, expressed appreciation for WMU’s ef-
with completion targeted by 2027. We forts to increase cage-free production that exclusively use cage-free eggs. Ad-
are confident that demand for cage-free capacity in Indonesia. According to ditionally, 72 percent of respondents
eggs will continue to increase. There- him, growing commitments from both agreed that eggs used by food compa-
fore, we are building production capac- consumers and businesses toward sus- nies should come from farms that im-
ity now to ensure we are prepared to tainability and food quality are creating plement animal welfare standards.
respond to future demand growth,” said significant opportunities for the cage- “In addition to being driven by market
Mahawijaya in Jakarta on Friday (June free egg sector. demand and product quality consider-
19, 2026).
“Over the past several years, demand ations, WMU’s expansion is also aligned
Currently, WMU markets its cage-free for cage-free eggs has continued to with the issuance of Indonesia’s Minister
eggs through a business-to-business grow, particularly from the retail, hos- of Agriculture Regulation No. 32 of 2025
(B2B) model, serving a wide range of pitality, restaurant, FMCG, and food- on Animal Welfare Implementation. We
customers including catering com- service sectors. Today, more than 2,000 hope WMU’s leadership will inspire
panies, hotel chains, restaurants, and food companies worldwide have com- more egg producers across Indonesia
quick-service restaurant operators. The mitted to sourcing 100 percent cage- to prepare for evolving market expec-
company is also preparing to launch its free eggs, including major international
own cage-free egg brand for the retail brands operating in Indonesia such as tations. Lever Foundation remains com-
market. mitted to supporting the development
KFC, Burger King, Hyatt, Marriott, and of Indonesia’s cage-free ecosystem to
“This expansion is not intended to Swiss-Belhotel International. At the ensure that growing market demand is
replace existing markets, but rather same time, an increasing number of do- matched by a reliable and sustainable
to create a new, higher-value segment mestic companies are adopting or tran- supply,” Sandi concluded.
while responding to increasing con- sitioning toward cage-free egg sourcing
sumer interest in sustainability, food policies, including Super Indo, Ismaya Circle 13 on enquiry card
Vol. 42 No. 5 11