Mexico has emerged as the leading supplier of eggs to the United States amid a significant shortage of this commodity in the neighboring country.
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, in January of this year, egg imports from Mexico amounted to 1.4 million dozen eggs, valued at $2.16 million, placing it in first place in volume.
This figure represented a significant increase compared to December 2024, when the United States imported 421,000 dozen eggs from Mexico, equivalent to $612,000.
The increase in imports is due to a crisis in domestic US production, caused by an outbreak of avian flu that has affected millions of laying hens.
This outbreak has led to a shortage of eggs in various regions of the United States and an increase in consumer prices.
In this context, other countries have also increased their egg exports to the United States. Turkey ranked second in January with 597,000 dozen eggs, equivalent to $813,000, while Canada ranked third with 578,000 dozen eggs, valued at $4.7 million.
The avian flu crisis in the United States has had significant repercussions on the food market. Egg prices have reached record highs ahead of Easter and Holy Week, affecting both consumers and businesses that depend on this commodity.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that, in February, a dozen Grade A eggs cost an average of $5.90 in U.S. cities, an increase of 10.4 percent compared to last year.
This surpassed the record price of $4.95 in January. Avian flu has forced farmers to cull more than 166 million birds, primarily laying hens. Since the beginning of the year alone, more than 30 million of these chickens have been slaughtered.
If prices remain high, this will be the third consecutive year that consumers will face higher prices ahead of the Christian Easter, celebrated on April 20, and the Jewish Passover, which begins on the night of April 12. Eggs play a prominent role in both celebrations.
Source: elfinanciero
