Trump Administration May Have Discovered a Solution to the Egg Shortage Ahead of Easter

Conservative News DailyMarch 26, 2025

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The article discusses the potential for Italy to assist the united States in alleviating its egg shortage, which has been exacerbated by bird flu outbreaks affecting domestic poultry. Gian Luca Bagnara, head of the Italian egg producers’ association, confirmed that U.S. officials had inquired about the possibility of exporting Italian eggs. Italy is the fourth-largest egg producer in Europe, producing around 13 billion eggs annually, although onyl 10% are currently exported.

As the Easter holiday approaches,the demand for eggs is expected to spike,which makes the potential importation an urgent matter. Despite recent drops in egg prices, attributed to a decline from a dramatic 159% increase over the past year, the situation remains critical. The article underlines that relying on foreign suppliers like Italy is merely a temporary fix and urges for a more extensive strategy to address the underlying issues.

In February, the USDA announced a $1 billion plan to fight bird flu and stabilize egg prices, which includes measures for increasing imports and reviewing safety policies. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressed a commitment from the Trump administration to handle the crisis more effectively than previous administrations. the article concludes by emphasizing that while engaging with European producers could provide short-term relief, a long-term solution will require additional domestic strategies and improvements in biosecurity.

Is Europe the answer to the United States’ egg shortage?

Bloomberg reported Friday that the head of the Assoavi Italian association of egg producers Gian Luca Bagnara was approached by an official from a U.S. Embassy to see how many eggs Italian farmers could ship to the United States over the next six months.

Bagnara, almost in disbelief, told Bloomberg, “I thought I was on Candid Camera,” but added, once he understood the question was serious, “I felt really proud and started making inquiries. This could be an opportunity for building new international relations and we are eager to help,”

Italy is Europe’s fourth-largest egg producer, with 13 billion per year, but Bagnara said only about 10 percent of that is sold internationally.

Deutsche Welle reported Thursday that over 166 million domestic and wild birds have been culled since bird flu was detected in the U.S. in 2022.

Citing USDA data, DW reported 12.3 percent of caged birds were lost, along with 8 percent of the cage-free flock.

Not only Italy, but countries like Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Spain, France, and the Netherlands were also approached about the prospect.

DW also says the data indicate a drop in prices recently after surging 159 percent in a year. February’s price of $8.15 is now half of that.

To call this a solution would be short-sighted.

It is a Band-Aid, as next month is Easter and eggs will be in high demand.

If the Trump administration can accomplish this feat, it would be beneficial in the short term, but the reliance on European farmers should be just that.

The USDA released a statement on Feb. 26 announcing a $1 billion strategy to combat bird flu.

One prong of that strategy does involve trying to “explore options for temporarily increasing egg imports and decreasing exports, if applicable, to supplement the domestic supply, subject to safety reviews.”

The conversations happening in Italy seem to achieve that goal but cannot work alone in solving the problem, as the USDA included a more comprehensive strategy in its release.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins commented that the Trump administration looks to distinguish itself in addressing the issue, unlike Trump’s predecessor.

“The Biden administration did little to address the repeated outbreaks and high egg prices that followed. By contrast, the Trump administration is taking the issue seriously,” she said.

Along with turning to Europe, the removal of “burdensome” regulations, new biosecurity measures, increased aid to farmers, and protection of current egg-laying chickens’ well-being will be added to the USDA’s plans moving forward.