The United States has significantly ramped up its import of eggs from Brazil, with a reported increase of 93% in February compared to the previous year, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein.

This surge comes in response to severe egg shortages caused by the widespread effects of avian influenza, which has led to the culling of nearly 170 million chickens and turkeys since 2022. In light of these challenges, the U.S. administration is also considering relaxing regulations regarding the sale of eggs from hens raised for meat to further mitigate the egg shortage.

Despite the potential for Brazilian eggs to enter the U.S. market, these products are expected to be utilized primarily in processed food items, such as cake mixes, ice creams, and salad dressings, rather than being sold directly on supermarket shelves.

This strategy would help to free up more fresh eggs for direct consumer sale.

However, allowing these eggs for use in food products would require regulatory changes, which some food safety experts caution could elevate the risk of bacterial contamination.

The ongoing bird flu outbreak has had a profound economic impact across the United States, leading to decreased egg supplies in supermarkets and price increases in restaurants.

Wholesale egg prices experienced a dramatic increase, rising by 53.6% in February before showing slight stabilization in March.

The shortage is also contributing to the food inflation crisis, exacerbated by trade disputes that threaten to disrupt supply chains and increase costs for fresh produce and other goods.

In response to the egg supply crisis, the administration announced a $1 billion plan in February aimed at stabilizing egg prices.

This initiative includes financial assistance for farmers to help control the spread of the avian flu virus, as well as research into potential vaccines.

The U.S. is actively encouraging increased egg imports from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea, which traditionally do not export large quantities of eggs to the American market, while also requesting that European nations boost their exports.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating a petition from the National Chicken Council, which seeks permission to sell eggs from hens raised for meat.

At present, millions of these eggs are being destroyed because producers are unable to cool them to the FDA-required temperature of seven degrees Celsius within the stipulated timeframe of 36 hours, a critical condition for food safety.

In 2023, the FDA previously rejected a similar request over concerns regarding salmonella, but industry representatives express optimism that a new administration may support regulatory changes aimed at reducing what they perceive as unnecessary constraints.