With the high prices of eggs amid the outbreak of the constant bird flu that affect poultry farms, the American authorities report an increasing direction to smuggle entry attempts between all entry ports in America.
The rise follows the outbreak of bird flu that led to the execution of millions of chickens throughout the United States, pushing egg prices to new levels.
From October 2024 to February, Customs and US Border Protection (CBSA) was informed of an increase of 29 percent in egg attacks on the American border, including Canada, Mexico, seaports and airports, compared to the same period last year, on borders an official said.
“It is generally prohibited to import raw/fresh eggs from Mexico to the United States due to concerns about diseases such as pathogenic bird flu and severe Newcastle disease,” CBSA spokesman said in an email.
“Travelers are prohibited from bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds to the United States from Mexico. Travelers are encouraged to announce all agricultural products for CBP officers and agricultural specialists; failure to announce may lead to possible fines.”
As of February 2025, the average price for dozens of eggs in the United States reached the highest level ever at $ 4.95, exceeding the previous record of $ 4.82 in 2023, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Some retailers receive up to $ 10 per scales. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s report, the average price of a decoration for each scale was $ 7.34 as of February 7.
In response, the main grocery chains have provided the purchase limits to managing the offer and preventing conflicts between customers.
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The crisis led to unexpected consequences, including high smuggling eggs across the borders of the United States and Mexico.
With eggs It is said to be much cheaper in MexicoSome consumers tried to bring them to the United States, and theft became a growing concern.
On February 1, Thieves stole more than 100,000 organic eggs$ 40,000, from a farm in Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, the famous Waffle House chain provided an additional fee of $ 0.50 on white requests to compensate for the costs of height.
What about the borders of Canada and the United States?
Because of the outbreak of bird flu, Canada and the United States have implemented restrictions on the movement of poultry and relevant products.
Between Canada and the American border, the US Department of Agriculture states that you cannot bring live poultry (chicken, ducks, etc.) or raw eggs from Certain parts of Canada In the United States due to bird flu restrictions.
Fresh eggs or raw egg products are also banned from these restricted areas unless they are specially treated, such as exposure to pasteurization or cooking.
The US Department of Agriculture said that manufactured egg products (such as cooked or filled eggs) are allowed if they meet appropriate packaging and safety standards. For personal use, eggs or bird products must be fully cooked or stamped in a way that keeps them safe without cooling.
In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed measures affecting the import of live birds, poultry, hatching eggs, unpopular bird products and some fresh poultry elements from the regions in the United States that deal with bird influenza.
Canada also applies border restrictions based on the presence of very pathogenic bird flu (HPAI) in the United States.
A CFIA spokesman told Global News, when outbreaks occur in the United States, CFIA temporarily prohibits the import of some poultry products, including hatching eggs, from the affected United States.
During the outbreak of bird diseases such as HPAI, CFIA said that eggs that are brought to Canada should fulfill certain requirements.
Eggs must be filled with retail for human consumption, and it is clearly described as a “producer of the United States”.
Eggs are from private farms or backyard herds are not allowed under any circumstances.
– With files from Reuters
& Copy 2025 Global News, a Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
