Egg prices have skyrocketed in the U.S., leading to a surge in smuggling attempts.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 16th (local time) that the number of smuggling attempts of eggs that have not undergone quarantine is increasing in the southern border region of the United States.
As egg prices soar in the U.S., there has been an increase in cases of purchasing cheap eggs in Mexico and smuggling them into the U.S. Egg prices in Mexico are reported to be only one-third of those in the United States.
WSJ noted that, citing data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the office in San Diego, California, seized eggs from travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico, with the number of seizures increasing by 158% compared to the previous year since October last year. The office in Laredo, a southern border city in Texas, also reported a 54% increase in egg smuggling enforcement during the same period. Nationwide, egg smuggling increased by 36%.
Recently, a group attempting to smuggle about 29 kilograms of methamphetamine along with eggs through a truck was apprehended in El Paso, Texas.
According to the Consumer Price Index statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, the average retail price of 12 Grade A eggs in the U.S. was $5.90 (about 8,600 won) in February. This is a record high and more than double the price compared to February last year. In some regions, the same quantity of eggs is reported to exceed $10 (14,500 won).
The skyrocketing egg prices in the U.S. are attributed to supply shortages caused by avian influenza (AI). As egg scarcity continues, panic buying is exacerbating price increases.
The U.S. government has inquired about the possibility of exporting eggs to Denmark to stabilize egg prices. This inquiry comes during heightened tensions between the two countries after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he would annex Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, while requesting exports to stabilize egg prices. The U.S. has also previously asked European countries, including Poland and France, about the intention to export eggs.
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into alleged collusion among egg companies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also announced last month that it would invest up to $1 billion (about 1.45 trillion won) to stabilize egg prices.