US nearly doubles egg imports from Brazil due to avian flu outbreak

The United States has nearly doubled its egg imports from Brazil due to the avian flu outbreak.

Report informs via Reuters that the US administration under President Donald Trump is aiming to reduce the rising egg prices caused by avian flu and is considering easing import regulations for eggs from chickens raised for meat.

Although Brazilian chicken eggs and broiler chickens are not sold on grocery store shelves, they can be used in processed products such as cake mixes, ice cream, and more, which will help increase the availability of fresh eggs on grocery store shelves.

A strain of the virus has spread in the US, killing nearly 170 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds since the beginning of 2022. In February, egg prices rose by 53.6% and slightly decreased in March, while the egg shortage fueled food inflation.

In February, the administration announced a $1 billion plan to reduce egg prices, which includes assistance to farmers to prevent the spread of the virus and to develop vaccines.

It was also reported that Azerbaijan has initiated the necessary procedures for the first shipments of table eggs to the United States.