Market analysis: Egg shortages and prices in Europe and the US

While the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are still reasonably spared, the supply on the world market is tight due to outbreaks of bird flu (H5N1) and Newcastle disease (NCD) in Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia and America.

The impact of the bird flu outbreak is particularly noticeable in the United States. Since January 2022, more than 1,600 outbreaks of bird flu have been reported on American farms and among hobby farmers in the states of California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. More than 166 million chickens have already been affected. In addition to poultry, there are also many cases of dairy cows infected by the virus in the US.

Impact on the price of eggs

The mass culling has had an effect on the egg market. Egg prices in the US are generally much more volatile than those in Europe. In addition, American prices were lower than those in Europe in part of 2023. However, in 2024, US poultry farmers who still had productive animals received an average of 70% more for an egg (€367.29 per 100 kg) than producers in Europe (€216.52 per 100 kg).

The price difference skyrocketed to unprecedented heights this year. With an average of €248.51 per 100 kgs, eggs in Europe brought in 15% more in the first 12 weeks of this year than in 2024. However, American eggs brought in 155% more than last year. The average egg price in the first quarter of this year was €935.43 per 100 kgs, with a peak of almost €1,200 per 100 kgs. That is more than 4.5 times as much as European eggs at that time.

Egg prices in the United States are now falling again following government intervention. To keep eggs affordable for consumers, the country is attempting to increase imports. Several Dutch egg processors have also been approached to supply to the United States. The impact of this is not yet clear, but if it occurs, it will likely generate additional demand in Europe.