The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached out to producers in several EU countries to secure additional egg imports amid rising domestic prices. According to a report by Reuters, the agency sent formal requests to several egg-producing countries, including Denmark, Sweden and Finland, at the end of February.
The move comes despite recent trade tensions between Washington and Brussels over the US government’s imposition of tariffs on various EU goods. The USDA has been seeking to secure additional egg imports as domestic prices have surged to an all-time high of $8.41 per dozen, a 200% increase from the previous year, due to a significant reduction in the egg supply caused by avian influenza cases in laying hens.
A USDA representative in the EU, as cited by Bloomberg, has been inquiring about the potential volume of eggs that could be delivered to the US, assuming all import requirements are met. This suggests that the White House is attempting to estimate the possible import volumes.
A spokesperson for the Danish egg association stated that the organization will review the situation, but emphasized that there is no surplus of eggs in Europe. “There is a shortage of eggs everywhere in the world, as the demand is increasing and many are affected by avian influenza” the spokesperson said, adding that exporting eggs to the US would be challenging due to hygiene regulations and other factors.
Jørgen Nyberg Larsen, a Danish industry representative, confirmed in an interview with AgriWatch that Washington has inquired about the potential volume of eggs that could be delivered and that “they have also contacted my colleagues in the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland.”
Last week, Bloomberg reported that the US Department of Justice had launched a preliminary investigation into the nationwide surge in egg prices, focusing on whether local suppliers, such as Cal-Maine Foods and Rose Acre Farms, have made agreements to increase prices or restrict the supply.
Earlier this week, the US government implemented a 25% increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU, following the expiration of previous exemptions and duty-free quotas. The European Commission responded by announcing plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth 26 billion euros, set to take effect in April.