As egg prices soar due to a devastating bird flu outbreak, U.S. border officials are cracking down on a surprising new trend: egg smuggling from Mexico.
At a Glance
- Egg smuggling attempts at U.S.-Mexico border increase amid skyrocketing egg prices
- 29% rise in confiscated shell eggs at U.S. ports of entry since October 2024
- Over 90 individuals caught smuggling eggs from Mexico into El Paso, Texas
- Bird flu outbreak led to culling of millions of chickens, disrupting egg production
- Importing raw eggs from Mexico is prohibited due to disease concerns
Egg Smuggling on the Rise
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is facing an unexpected challenge at the southern border: a surge in egg smuggling attempts. The increase is directly linked to the skyrocketing cost of eggs in the United States, driven by a severe bird flu outbreak that has devastated poultry farms across the country.
Since the start of the year, over 90 people have attempted to import eggs from Mexico into El Paso, Texas alone. This trend is part of a larger 29% increase in shell eggs being confiscated at U.S. ports of entry between October 2024 and February compared to the previous year.
The Egg Crisis: Causes and Consequences
The root cause of this unusual smuggling trend is the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the United States. This crisis has led to the culling of approximately 160 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens, causing egg prices to rise significantly. As of February 21, the average price for a dozen large white eggs had reached a staggering $8.07.
However, many people may not realize that importing raw eggs from Mexico is prohibited by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This ban is in place due to the risks associated with diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Virulent Newcastle disease, which pose significant threats to both public health and the agricultural sector.
CBP’s Response and Warnings
In response to the surge in egg smuggling attempts, CBP has issued stern warnings to travelers. Sidney Aki, a CBP official, stated, “As a reminder, uncooked eggs are prohibited entry from Mexico into the U.S. Failure to declare agriculture items can result in penalties of up to $10,000.”
The agency has already issued 16 civil penalties totaling nearly $4,000 for smuggling prohibited agriculture and food products, including raw eggs. CBP officers remain vigilant, conducting thorough inspections to prevent the entry of potentially harmful products.
The U.S. government is taking steps to address the egg shortage. The federal government has spent nearly $2 billion on the bird flu response, including $1.2 billion in compensation to farmers. Additionally, the Agriculture Department is rehiring workers involved in the bird flu response who were mistakenly fired due to previous government cuts.
