By Sama Marwan,
Despite ongoing trade tensions between the United States and European nations following former President Donald Trump’s recent policies, the U.S. has turned to Germany for help in addressing a severe egg shortage.
U.S. Requests Increased Egg Exports from Europe
With the outbreak of avian influenza, eggs have become scarce and expensive in the United States. As announced last week, U.S. authorities have already requested several European countries to increase their egg exports.
A spokesperson for the German Egg Association confirmed:
“We have already received a request from the United States.”
According to media reports, similar requests have been made to industry associations in Denmark and Sweden, among others. However, due to Trump’s previous attempt to purchase Greenland, relations between Denmark and the U.S. remain tense.
Germany Also Faces Egg Production Shortages
Hans-Peter Goldnick, head of the German Egg Association, stated that while small quantities of German eggs are already being exported to the U.S. via the spot market, the volume remains minimal.
Additionally, Germany itself does not have an egg surplus. In 2023, only 73% of the eggs consumed in Germany were domestically produced, with the remainder imported.
Bird Flu Outbreak Behind the U.S. Egg Shortage
The recent outbreak of avian influenza is the primary cause of the egg shortage and surging prices in the U.S. The H5N1 virus is currently spreading widely among wild birds worldwide.
In the United States, the virus has severely impacted poultry farms and dairy products, leading to mass culling of egg-laying hens in an attempt to contain the disease.
