All about money?

– production costs of eggs increase with area per hen increases
– economic analysis of enriched cages has not yet been published, but it is likely to cost approximately 10 percent more than those from battery cages (Appleby 2003).
– it is estimated that the EU competitiveness will be weaken to a degree where 65 percent of domestic consumption could be substituted by imported eggs from developing countries with much lower welfare standards (Appleby 2003).
– while the new EU enriched cages has a production cost that is approximately the same as two –tier aviaries, free range systems are approximately 30 percent more than those from EU enriched or aviaries
– some people will pay more for noncaged eggs either because they are concerned with the welfare of hens or because they believe those eggs are more nutritious, tastier, or healthier (Appleby 2003).
– approximately 20 percent of eggs sold in the United Kingdom come from noncaged systems, either free range or barn (Appleby 2003).
– according to the 2006 data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), battery caged eggs cost an average of $1.36 per dozen while organic eggs cost an average of $3.99 per dozen (Walls-Thumma and Media).
– according to Consumer Price Index data’s rough estimate, egg prices in general increased 33 percent between March 2006 and March 2011 (Walls-Thumma and Media).