The volume of exports of shell eggs is conditioned by the domestic needs of importers, price against competitors and regulatory disease and logistic restraints. Imports are determined by domestic needs with reduced supply due to flock depopulation as the principal driving factor.
USDA-FAS data reflecting volume of exports for shell eggs and egg products are shown in the table below comparing 2024 with 2025:-
|
PRODUCT
|
Jan.-March. 2024
|
Jan.-March. 2025
|
Difference
|
|
Shell Eggs
|
|
|
|
|
Volume (m. dozen)
|
21.8
|
24.0
|
+2.5 (+11.5%)
|
|
Value ($ million)
|
43.4
|
152.2
|
+108.8 (+250%)
|
|
Unit Value ($/dozen)
|
1.99
|
6.34
|
+4.35 (+219%)
|
|
Egg Products
|
|
|
|
|
Volume (metric tons)
|
7,369
|
4,780
|
-2,589 (-35.1%)
|
|
Value ($ million)
|
35.1
|
25.9
|
-9.2 (-25.6%)
|
|
Unit Value ($/metric ton)
|
4,763
|
5,418
|
+655 (+13.8%)
|
U.S. EXPORTS OF SHELL EGG AND EGG PRODUCTS DURING
JANUARY-MARCH 2024 COMPARED WITH 2024
Due to a deficiency in domestic supply relative to demand, importation during January through March 2025 amounted to 25.5 million shell-equivalent dozens. Monthly totals amounted to 2.1 million in January, 11.5 million in February and 11.9 million in March. For the quarter, imports expressed as a percentage of the total, comprised shell eggs, 58.6; egg liquids, 9.8 and dried egg, 31.6. Total egg imports during calendar 2025 are projected by the USDA to attain 32 million dozen shell equivalents suggesting restoration of supply as 78 percent of the calculated total was imported during the first quarter of 2025. Naturally if HPAI emerges in the fall flock depopulation will resume and the U.S. will revert to the situation that prevailed in late 2024 extending into 2025.
During April 2025 Brazil claimed to have exported 3.9 million dozen eggs to the U.S. valued at $6.3 million representing an extremely low FOB unit price of $1.57 per dozen.
Given the export of 35.8 million dozen shell equivalents over the first quarter of 2025 net exports attained 10.3 million dozen shell equivalents
The trade situation will be influenced during the second quarter of 2025 if tariffs are imposed by the U.S. with the inevitability of reciprocal action by importing nations. Since supply will hopefully improve in volume, imports will be curtailed with an expectation of higher exports consistent with more competitive prices.