U.S. Surpasses Brazil as Top Importer of Eggs from Brazil

In the wake of an avian influenza outbreak wreaking havoc on domestic poultry production, the United States emerged as Brazil’s primary destination for egg imports. With imports soaring to 2,705 tonnes in March, representing an astonishing 346.4% spike compared to the previous year, the U.S. swiftly surpassed other major importers.

Previously in February, the United Arab Emirates stood as the top importer of Brazilian eggs, leaving the U.S. in second place with imports amounting to 503 tonnes. However, the surge in American demand for Brazilian eggs played a pivotal role in elevating Brazil’s total egg exports to 3,770 tonnes in March, signifying a remarkable 342.2% year-on-year upsurge. These escalated exports translated into a substantial revenue boost, raking in $8.65 million—an impressive 383% jump from the prior year.

Comprising both fresh and processed egg products, Brazil’s egg exports witnessed a substantial 97.2% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2025, reaching a total of 8,654 tonnes. This remarkable surge in exports was largely attributed to the U.S.’s decision to allow the importation of Brazilian eggs for thermal processing, specifically for utilization in human food production. Though local supply remained largely unaffected as export volumes represent just a mere 1% of Brazil’s total egg output, this step was deemed a monumental leap forward for the industry by ABPA president Ricardo Santin.

Despite initially importing Brazilian eggs solely for animal feed purposes, the United States shifted gears amid the pressing supply dearth and began permitting imports for utilization as food manufacturing ingredients, albeit not yet approved for direct human consumption. Moving forward, ABPA’s market intelligence coordinator, Laiz Foltran, anticipates robust export figures in the succeeding months, primarily fueled by the surging demands from the U.S., Chile, and Japan. With Mexico recently jumping on the bandwagon by opening its market to Brazilian eggs, the landscape looks promising for Brazil’s egg export market.

In a significant development underscoring the escalating trend in egg trade dynamics, Brazilian company Global Eggs sealed a monumental deal by acquiring Pennsylvania-based Hillandale Farms for a staggering $1.1 billion. Looking ahead, negotiations are underway between the Brazilian government and U.S. authorities to expand the scope of egg imports, aiming to include eggs for direct human consumption without the need for industrial processing.

The U.S.’s poultry sector faced a dire setback, witnessing the loss of 30.3 million laying hens in 2025 alone due to the avian flu crisis, resulting in a drastic reduction in domestic egg supply and a subsequent spike in egg prices. In response, President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture sprang into action by embarking on an international quest to secure alternative egg suppliers abroad. Nevertheless, several countries declined to export eggs to the U.S., citing insufficient surplus, robust domestic demands, or their own avian flu predicaments. Turkey and Mexico emerged as key suppliers to the U.S., while stringent American sanitary regulations posed a major impediment for potential exporters.

Compounding the hurdles, new import tariffs could exacerbate the cost burden on imported eggs, thereby raising concerns over the financial impact on consumers. The USDA highlighted a substantial rise in fresh egg imports, totaling 4.78 million dozen in the year up to February 25—a momentous 478% surge compared to the same period in the preceding year. The agency emphasized the critical role of stock replenishment capabilities and the evolving avian flu landscape in determining the trajectory of the egg market in the near term.