Based on data in the European Commission's socio-economic report published in 2004,[REF] (prior to battery cages being banned in the EU) it cost €0.66 to produce 12 battery eggs, €0.82 to produce 12 barn eggs and €0.98 to produce 12 free-range eggs.
The margins achieved by producers for barn and free-range eggs are appreciably higher than those that were available for battery eggs.