US Doubles Egg Imports from Brazil, Turkey Amid Bird Flu Crisis

The Trump administration has significantly increased imports of eggs from Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea to combat a domestic egg supply crisis caused by an avian flu outbreak that has led to the culling of millions of birds. In response to soaring egg prices, which have risen by over 50% this year, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion plan to stabilize costs and facilitate imports. While these imported eggs will not be sold directly in grocery stores, they will be utilized in processed foods, potentially freeing up fresh eggs for consumers. However, there are concerns regarding food safety, as the administration considers relaxing regulations to allow the use of eggs from broiler chickens, which are typically discarded. Political responses have highlighted the issue of egg prices as a critical point for voters, with Trump leveraging frustrations stemming from high costs during Biden’s administration. Despite recent drops in wholesale prices, Rollins cautioned that retail prices may remain high due to continued demand and the threat of further bird flu outbreaks.