Average CAPEX per hen place
44.41EUR≈ 2,154 UAH per hen place
Buildings + equipment (inflation‑adjusted)
Ukraine’s Cage‑Free Crossroad
A data‑driven interactive that quizzes you on the facts and reveals how Ukraine can align with EU animal‑welfare standards.
Why this matters
Ukraine can avoid investing in systems that may soon be obsolete.
Timeline
2012
EU
EU benchmark
Battery cages banned since 2012
Today
EU
EU direction
Moving toward a broader cage ban in animal farming.
2026
UA
Ukraine timeline
Battery cages prohibited from January 2026
Context
Egg production is a complex process involving the use of animals, namely laying hens, but also male chicks. Although laying hens are the most exploited animals in egg production, the majority of them in Ukraine are still kept in cages.
Cage-based production is the most heavily criticized production system because it causes the greatest suffering to laying hens: they cannot move freely or express their natural behaviours, they are deprived of fresh air and sunlight, and they spend their entire lives in overcrowded cages.
Following the End the Cage Age initiative, the EU is moving towards a complete ban on all types of cages for laying hens and other farm animals within the food system. Ukraine, however, still lags behind the EU in protecting laying hens from battery cage systems, which have been banned in the EU since 2012.
According to the Bill on Farm Animal Welfare, battery cages are prohibited from January 2026. And moreover, Ukraine has also committed itself to harmonizing its legislation with EU animal welfare standards.
Then what
Ukraine’s decision point
One ban, two paths to compliance, only one built to last.
Enriched cages
A temporary solution that the EU is already planning to ban.
Straight to cage-free
Skip enriched cages and transition directly to cage-free systems. EU current direction is moving toward legislative ban on cages in animal farming.
Strategic implication
The best course of action for Ukraine would be to skip the transitional phase of enriched cages and move directly to cage-free production systems. This would not only help prevent future violations of the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement but also avoid unnecessary investments by Ukrainian egg producers in cage systems that may be prohibited in the near future.
Quiz
The missionHow far are we?
What % of Ukraine’s hens are already cage‑free?
Cage‑free share today
5%
Most hens remain in conventional cages; aligning with EU standards is ahead.
Increase efficiency
The productivity gap
Drag the slider to raise yield from today’s level to the EU average.
Ukraine
156
EU average
245
+0% potential
If Ukraine reaches EU yield:
- Potential +57% eggs/hen (156 → 245)
- Higher welfare can coexist with higher output
- Supports transition while mitigating capacity reductions
Quiz
Change in costsWhat is the direct cost impact?
Average price increase per egg after moving to aviary housing?
Study estimate
3.5 cents ≈ 1.70 UAH
Average +3.5 cents (band 1.1–5.9 cents)
≈ 1.70 UAH per egg (band 0.53–2.86 UAH)
2.6 cents ≈ 1.26 UAH
Benchmark +2.6 cents (sale‑price derived)
≈ 1.26 UAH per egg
Investment needed
Investment reality
Realistic low‑investment scenario
1.51billion EUR≈ 73.24 billion UAH
Convert existing + build missing capacity
Boundary context
Max: 3.04 billionEUR≈ 147.44 billion UAH
Min*: 0.29 billionEUR≈ 14.07 billion UAH
Feasibility depends on lifecycle & capacity choices
*difference‑only scenario
UAH equivalents use a fixed rate of 1 EUR = 48.50 UAH.
Contact Project 1882
Questions about the study, or want to discuss the findings? Send us a message.