US egg crisis escalates as millions of hens culled amid trade tensions

In the United States, a severe outbreak of avian flu has led to the culling of over 30 million laying hens this year. This drastic measure has resulted in a significant shortage of eggs, with prices nearly doubling and soaring beyond $8 a dozen by late February 2025. Alongside this crisis, the US government has reached out to Denmark and other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland, seeking to increase egg exports to alleviate shortages. Danish Eggs sector manager Jørgen Nyberg Larsen confirmed that while Denmark has been approached for assistance, fulfilling this request may pose challenges due to regulatory differences regarding egg washing between the EU and the US. The avian flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has severely impacted the poultry industry, leading to suspicions that some egg producers are exploiting the situation to inflate prices. The US Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the matter to assess competition in the egg market. President Donald Trump has stated that he is working hard to bring down egg prices, further complicating the situation given his administration's ongoing tariff battles with European nations. As additional tariffs are threatened, consumer sentiment in Denmark has shifted towards boycotting US goods, highlighting the potential repercussions of such trade policies. Amid the price surge for eggs in the US, there has also been an increase in the number of egg smuggling attempts, especially along the southern border. Reports indicate a 36% rise in egg interceptions nationwide, with a 54% increase specifically along the Texas border. Many travelers, often unaware of the prohibition of carrying eggs, have been caught with cartons of eggs, leading to stricter border control measures. The average price of eggs has recently seen a slight decline to around $5.51, but analysts warn this trend may not last as long-term challenges stemming from avian flu remain unresolved. With Easter approaching, the pressure on egg prices is particularly pronounced. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the struggle against avian flu is ongoing and will take time to resolve, suggesting that price fluctuations could continue to affect consumers in the near future. The overall situation is a complex interplay of agricultural health, trade relations, and consumer behavior, where domestic and international factors converge to impact the availability of essential food items.