In latest weeks, some customers within the United States have been paying greater than $10 (€9.22) for a dozen eggs after an outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prompted an egg scarcity and a large spike in costs.
More than 166 million wild and home birds have been culled for the reason that H5N1 pressure of chook flu was first detected by US authorities in early 2022.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported this week that greater than 30 million hens have been destroyed for the reason that starting of the yr.
The newest losses account for 12.3% of the nationwide inventory of caged birds and almost 8% of the cage-free flock. The natural flock has been largely untouched by the outbreak, based on USDA information.
USDA reported outbreaks at poultry and dairy farms in 9 US states, in its newest Egg Markets Overview
Faced with an enormous egg scarcity, and costs rising 159% in a yr, some grocery shops have begun rationing the variety of eggs every shopper should purchase.
Over the previous few weeks, US officers have contacted a number of European international locations for assist to alleviate the scarcity, regardless of rising commerce tensions between US President Donald Trump’s administration and the European Union over tariffs.
Several media shops reported that agricultural our bodies in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France and Italy have been approached to see if they will export their extra provide throughout the Atlantic.
Does Europe have eggs to spare?
Europe has additionally been grappling with its personal chook flu outbreak over the previous three years, resulting in egg shortages throughout the continent.
Poland, Hungary and France have been among the many worst affected and in January, Portugal reported an outbreak on a poultry farm close to the capital Lisbon.
In the United Kingdom, strict illness management measures have been carried out this yr following a suspected case of avian flu in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
The US has traditionally imposed restrictions on importing eggs from most European Union states as a consequence of considerations about avian ailments, particularly chook flu.
Due to their very own egg shortages, most European international locations say they’ve restricted capability to export eggs to the US.
Hans-Peter Goldnick, president of the German Egg Association, says whereas Germany has exported some eggs by way of the commodities buying and selling market often known as the spot market the quantity was very small.
Speaking to German public broadcaster NDR on Wednesday. (March 19) he mentioned egg provide for Easter was safe, however urged Germans to “continue consuming eggs as usual and not start stockpiling them.”
Germany does not have a lot of an extra provide. counting on imports for greater than 1 / 4 of its egg consumption wants in 2023, according to government data
A Finnish poultry official informed public broadcaster Yle that the Nordic nation is unlikely to have the ability to assist due to US import restrictions.
Even if the pink tape might be overcome, Finland solely has 4 million laying hens for its personal wants with little extra provide.
Swedish and Danish officers cited related forms and shortages as stopping any speedy assist being supplied to the US.
Who has spare eggs to export to the US?
Last month, Reuters information company reported that Turkey would increase its egg exports to the US, having agreed to ship an additional 15,000 tons of eggs beneath a brief take care of Washington.
Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey, mentioned between now and July, the nation would ship some 240 million eggs, about six instances the amount exported to the US in 2024.
The further exports will generate about $26 million in income for Turkey.
Last month, Bloomberg reported that the US plans to reinstate import licenses for egg merchandise from the Netherlands, to attempt to ease the home egg scarcity.
The Dutch are the world’s largest egg exporters and the plans embrace deliveries of liquid and powdered eggs, based on the European Union of Wholesale in Eggs, Egg-Products, Poultry and Game (EUWEP).
As properly as import restrictions, Europe would face logistical points exporting eggs throughout the Atlantic as a consequence of their fragility and the vital want for temperature management.
Air transport is pricey, whereas sea freight would take took lengthy to retain the eggs’ shelf life.
How lengthy will the US egg disaster proceed?
Egg costs within the US have begun to fall sharply prior to now month, partly on account of a lot decrease demand, and an enchancment in provides.
After common wholesale costs peaked at $8.15 in mid-February, costs have for now halved, based on USDA information. Those costs might take a while to filter right down to customers.
But demand might rise once more within the coming months and the persistence of chook flu outbreaks might proceed to influence egg manufacturing.
Replacing culled hens and permitting them to succeed in egg-laying maturity is a time-consuming course of, taking 4-5 months. Even after they begin laying, egg manufacturing is low at first and progressively will increase over time.
Hatcheries additionally want time to ramp up the manufacturing of recent pullets (younger hens), partly as a consequence of strict biosecurity measures, which lead to bottlenecks.
Many egg producers could also be hesitant to replenish their inventory for concern of additional chook flu outbreaks.
Given these components, many consultants anticipate that egg costs will stay elevated, and the scarcity might persist for a minimum of the remainder of the yr.
Edited by: Uwe Hessler
