U.S. turns to Brazil for egg imports amid worsening supply shortage

The United States is ramping up egg imports from Brazil as it is grappling with a severe supply shortage and soaring prices amid an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

According to data released by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), U.S. egg imports from Brazil surged by 93 percent year on year in February 2025.

Over the long term, demand for Brazilian eggs has shifted since January, with exports previously limited to pet food now expanding into broader use within the food industry.

"In the past, the U.S. only permitted us to export eggs for processing, primarily for pet food production. Now, however, these eggs are also used in the food industry, including the production of bread, cakes, and desserts," said Ricardo Santin, ABPA president.

U.S. egg prices have continued to surge due to a shortage of egg-laying hens amid the bird flu outbreak, adding continued pressure to inflation.

Egg prices have shot up 10.4 percent month over month and 58.8 percent year over year in the country, according to a March 12 report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While the U.S.'s expanded egg imports from Brazil are currently viewed as an emergency measure, industry insiders believe there is potential for long-term trade cooperation between the two countries.

U.S. turns to Brazil for egg imports amid worsening supply shortage

U.S. turns to Brazil for egg imports amid worsening supply shortage

The price of diesel fuel is surging worldwide after the Strait of Hormuz was blocked, disrupting global shipping and driving up the cost of goods. As of early April, the per-barrel price of diesel in Europe has exceeded 200 U.S. dollars for the first time since 2022.

In Britain and France, fuel prices are now 30 percent higher than they were when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

The British motoring organization Royal Automobile Club (RAC) finds that the Netherlands has the most expensive diesel in Europe, at more than 2.8 U.S. dollars per liter.

Ireland, Spain, and Romania have temporarily cut the excise duty on diesel.

In Southeast Asia, Cambodia's diesel price has more than doubled since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, with a liter now priced at 2.03 U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's Ministry of Finance and Revenue has announced a temporary tax exemption on imports of high-speed diesel in a bid to stabilize and lower commodity prices, the state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Thursday.

The United States is also facing the consequences of its military actions in Persian Gulf region, with diesel futures rising 11 percent to nearly 112 dollars per barrel in Texas on Thursday, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced continued military actions against Iran.

Countries see record fuel prices amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions