Unusual Rise In Egg Smuggling Raises Questions At U.S.-Mexico Border

Various eggs in a nest on straw bedding — Vintage chicken,turkey and quail eggs in a wooden bowl

Egg smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico border is escalating due to the bird flu crisis, driving up egg prices dramatically.

Key Insights

The confiscation of smuggled shell eggs increased by 29% between October 2024 and February.
The bird flu outbreak in the U.S. led to the culling of millions of chickens, causing price increases.
Uncooked eggs from Mexico are prohibited in the U.S. as they pose health risks.
CBP issued penalties, with fines up to $10,000, for undeclared agriculture items.
Turkey will export 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the U.S. to alleviate shortages.

Skyrocketing Egg Prices Drive Smuggling

The U.S.-Mexico border has seen a significant increase in egg smuggling due to soaring prices resulting from the bird flu crisis. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported a 29% rise in confiscated shell eggs at ports of entry between October 2024 and February compared to the previous year. Agents intercepted more than 90 individuals attempting to bring eggs from Mexico to the U.S., highlighting a growing challenge for border control. Violators risk penalties reaching $10,000.

The bird flu outbreak in the U.S. led to the slaughter of approximately 160 million birds, primarily egg-laying chickens, disrupting egg production and causing record price hikes. By February 21, the cost of a dozen large eggs had surged to an average of $8.07. Necessitated by these shortages, grocers are limiting consumer purchases, inadvertently increasing the demand for opportunistic buying and smuggling attempts.

Parameter Restrictions and Potential Health Risks

Despite the high demand, U.S. authorities have restricted importing raw eggs from Mexico, citing health concerns like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Virulent Newcastle Disease. As Sidney Aki from CBP 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 protective measures aim to safeguard public health and local agriculture by preventing these diseases from entering U.S. soil.

“CBP officers remain steadfast in their efforts to execute their primary homeland security mission,” said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations.

Border control officers are continually vigilant for smugglers. This vigilance is part of broader efforts to maintain homeland security, with officers dedicated to monitoring not just potential agricultural threats, but also illegal drug smuggling and fugitive apprehensions. In recent weeks, increased enforcement efforts have led to the seizure of drugs, illegal weapons, and the arrest of numerous fugitives, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the security challenges at U.S. borders.

International Support and Future Outlook

While the U.S. manages the immediate crisis, international support is coming through an agreement with Turkey. As stated by Ibrahim Afyon, “15,000 tonnes (33 million pounds) of eggs—equivalent to 700 containers—will be shipped” to help offset the shortages. This preliminary agreement will last until July 2025, offering some relief to market demands and a chance to stabilize prices temporarily.

Nevertheless, the road to recovery may be long. The ongoing pandemic’s disruptions have compounded these issues, requiring a concerted effort from international partners and domestic agencies to rebuild poultry flocks and stabilize agriculture markets. Vigilance from border control and cooperation between nations remain critical in navigating this challenging landscape.