A severe outbreak of bird flu has devastated egg production in the US. More than 30 million hens have been culled since January 2025. Total bird losses, including wild and domestic species, have reached over 166 million since early 2022.
Egg prices in the US have risen by 159 percent in one year. Several retailers have begun rationing sales. Some states report shortages of eggs for both commercial and household use.
The shortage has led the US to request egg imports from European countries. According to Danish agriculture publication AgriWatch, the US contacted officials in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Only Finland’s response has been confirmed, declining the request.
A report by Lithuanian broadcaster LRT confirmed the US has also contacted Lithuania. The US embassy in Warsaw held talks with Lithuanian industry officials.
Gytis Kauzonas, head of the Lithuanian Poultry Association, confirmed the contact.
“We have provided the requested information, but we have not yet received a reply,” Kauzonas told Lithuanian business daily Verslo Žinios.
The US embassy has not issued a public statement regarding the talks.
In Poland, similar discussions have occurred. Katarzyna Gawronska, director of the National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers, told local media that the American embassy in Warsaw had also reached out about possible egg exports.
The US has historically limited egg imports from the European Union due to disease and quality regulations. Those restrictions remain a key obstacle. European suppliers also face their own shortages and contractual obligations.
Multiple EU states are experiencing tight egg supplies due to similar outbreaks of avian flu and increased domestic demand.
Exporting to the US would require compliance with strict sanitary and trade standards, including inspections and certifications from the US Department of Agriculture.
The US has not imported large volumes of eggs from Europe in recent decades. Shipments from Canada and Mexico have been more common during past disruptions.
In response to the crisis, the Trump administration has pledged $1 billion to address supply disruptions.
Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, outlined a plan in early March including $500 million for biosecurity upgrades, $400 million in farmer support and $100 million for vaccine research.
“This won’t solve the issue overnight,” Rollins said at a press conference. “We are working with producers, regulators and international partners. We expect conditions to improve within three to six months.”
The plan also includes easing of regulations to facilitate egg imports on a temporary basis. Emergency authorisations are under review.
Social media users in Europe reacted quickly to news of the US approaching Lithuania.
A Reddit thread titled “US goes begging for eggs in Lithuania” received over 9,000 comments.
“Literally going door to door begging,” one user wrote.
“Did they ask politely, while wearing a suit?” another asked, referencing Donald Trump’s 2019 meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
“If they had actual brains instead of using AI slop strategies they would buy egg-laying hens and import them, not eggs,” another user posted.
Mockery also referenced past diplomatic tensions, including Trump's trade disputes with the EU. Tariff threats on European goods and dismissive remarks about NATO allies are recurring themes in comments.
Some users blamed US economic policies under the Trump administration, referring to high food prices as “Trumpeconomics.”
While the US Department of Agriculture continues to monitor domestic supply chains, no final agreement has been reached with any European nation on large-scale egg exports.
Negotiations with private suppliers are ongoing. The US Food and Drug Administration and customs officials are also involved in evaluating import logistics.
No timeline has been given for potential shipments from Europe, including from Lithuania or Poland.
HT