Despite Trade War, U.S. Turns to European Egg Imports Amid Rising Prices

The U.S. Egg Producers Association announced on Friday that the U.S. government has reached out to Denmark and other European countries to discuss the possibility of exporting eggs to the United States due to soaring egg prices domestically.

This request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture comes amid rising tariffs on several countries, including some European nations, and the threat of imposing additional tariffs. At the same time, President Donald Trump has threatened economic sanctions unless Denmark transfers control of Greenland to the United States.

Wholesale egg prices in the U.S. have hit record highs, driven by a rapid spread of avian influenza among poultry, which has significantly impacted supply. Despite Trump’s promise to lower egg prices on his first day in office, prices surged by 59% year-on-year in February 2025, the first full month of his presidency, according to Reuters.

In a letter obtained by Reuters, a representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Europe sent formal inquiries to egg-producing countries in late February, seeking information on their ability to export eggs to the U.S. In a follow-up message to the Danish Egg Association in March, the representative added, “We are still awaiting further guidance from Washington, but do you have estimates on the quantities of eggs that can be supplied to the U.S.?”

The Danish Egg Association confirmed it would look into the matter but noted that there is no egg surplus in Europe. Similarly, Turkey announced in February that it had begun exporting around 15,000 tons of eggs to the U.S.

Source: Reuters.