The United States has reached out to Denmark and other European nations with a request to export eggs as the nation contends with soaring egg prices and supply shortages, the Nordic country’s egg association reported on Friday.
The appeal comes amid rising egg prices in the U.S., following high tariffs imposed by Trump on imports from neighboring countries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approached Denmark and other European nations, requesting an increase in egg exports as U.S. poultry farms struggle with avian flu.
U.S. wholesale egg prices have hit record highs despite Trump’s pledge to reduce egg prices on his first day in office. The price rose 59% year-on-year in February.
A letter viewed by Reuters revealed that a U.S. Department of Agriculture representative in Europe sent formal inquiries in late February to egg-producing nations, requesting details about their capacity and readiness to export eggs to the American market.
The Danish Egg Association said they would look into the matter but noted that Europe has no surplus of eggs due to rising consumption and the impact of bird flu. The association also mentioned that egg exports to the U.S. would be difficult due to strict hygiene regulations and other requirements.
The avian flu has severely disrupted U.S. egg supply chains, leading to the loss of over 20 million egg-laying hens in American farms during the final quarter of 2024. In response, the U.S. has sought assistance from Turkey, which plans to supply 420 million eggs in 2025, as reported by Turkey’s Egg Producers Central Union.
The U.S. produces 7.5 billion dozen eggs annually, as per the records by the American Egg Board, but the figure may decrease if avian flu continues to devastate poultry farms nationwide. Last month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed a $1 billion plan to tackle bird flu, which includes sourcing imported eggs.
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