The US is facing a critical egg shortage as a result of a recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The crisis has led to soaring egg prices and significant supply chain disruptions, prompting the US to seek emergency imports from European countries. However, efforts to import eggs from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands were unanimously rejected.
Dutch producers have explicitly stated that they will not consider expanding exports unless the US removes its 20% tariff on poultry products. This tariff, introduced during the Trump administration under the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" policy, has become a significant point of contention.
US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, warned that the existing tariff policies are likely to exacerbate the crisis, potentially pushing egg prices even higher in the short term. Financial experts quoted by Newsweek also suggested that the tariffs could backfire, further inflating egg prices and ultimately shifting the financial burden onto American consumers.
Egg prices in the US have already reached record highs, with a dozen Grade A eggs costing US$5.89 in February 2025. This marks a near doubling of prices since 2024, with costs rising month by month. Grocery stores across the country have begun rationing egg purchases, while restaurants are adding surcharges to menu items that include eggs.
To address the shortfall, the US estimates that it will need to import between 70 million and 100 million eggs over the next one to two months.
During his campaign, Donald Trump had promised to lower grocery costs, calling the current egg market "a complete disaster." Ironically, the reciprocal tariffs introduced under his administration are now being blamed for worsening the crisis. With egg prices at a 10-year peak, American families are facing mounting financial pressure.
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