Egg smuggling rises at U.S. borders as bird flu drives up prices
Global News
As egg prices surge amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak affecting poultry farms, authorities report a rising trend of smuggling attempts at the U.S. and Mexico border.
As egg prices surge amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak affecting poultry farms, U.S. authorities are reporting a rising trend of smuggling attempts between all ports of entry in America.
The spike follows an avian flu outbreak that resulted in the culling of millions of chickens across the U.S., driving egg prices to new highs.
From October 2024 to February, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a 29-per-cent increase in egg seizures at the U.S. borders, including Canada, Mexico, sea ports, and airports, compared to the same period last year, a border official said.
“Importation of raw/fresh eggs from Mexico into United States is generally prohibited due to concerns about diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Virulent Newcastle disease,” the CBP spokesperson said in an email.
“Travelers are prohibited from bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds into the United States from Mexico. Travelers are encouraged to declare all agricultural products to CBP officers and agriculture specialists; failure to declare may lead to potential fines.”
As of February 2025, the average price for a dozen eggs in the U.S. has reached an all-time high of USD$4.95, surpassing the previous record of $4.82 in 2023, according to the USDA.
Some retailers are charging as much as $10 per dozen. According to the USDA’s report, the average price per dozen stood at $7.34 as of Feb. 7.
In response, major grocery chains have introduced purchase limits to manage supply and prevent disputes among customers.
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