SCHOENEICHE, Germany — The U.S. government is on a global egg hunt, seeking egg exports from Europe and beyond to address a severe shortage that has caused grocery store egg prices to reach record highs.
U.S. Approaches European Nations for Egg Exports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reached out to several countries, including Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, to help alleviate the shortage, which was triggered by a bird flu outbreak, according to European industry groups.
However, supplying eggs to the U.S. would not be simple for foreign producers — and it’s not due to political tensions or the trade tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed or threatened against key U.S. trading partners.
European Shortages and Domestic Demand
Even if European countries were willing to assist, many are facing their own egg shortages due to ongoing avian flu outbreaks and rising domestic demand, particularly ahead of Easter. One of the most significant obstacles, though, is the stark difference in safety regulations between the U.S. and Europe when it comes to preventing salmonella contamination.
In the U.S., food safety regulations require eggs to be sanitized and refrigerated before they reach store shelves. In contrast, European Union safety standards mandate that Grade A eggs be sold unwashed and without refrigeration.
Different Approaches to Egg Safety
“These are two systems that could not be more different,” said Hans-Peter Goldnick, president of the German Egg Association. In Europe, it’s common for eggs to be sold with feathers or even traces of chicken droppings still attached.
David Karlsch, a farmer at the Saballus poultry farm in Schoeneiche, Germany, explained that the process of selling eggs on his family farm is simple: the eggs are collected from nests, placed into cartons, and sold on-site or from a refrigerated vending machine outside. “The demand at Easter time is, of course, very high, as many children naturally want to paint eggs,” Karlsch said.
Poland’s Response to U.S. Inquiry
Poland, a major egg exporter, responded to a U.S. inquiry about egg availability, according to Katarzyna Gawrońska, director of the National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers. The issue of washed versus unwashed eggs became a key factor in the discussions, as European officials weighed the request from the U.S.
In most EU nations, eggs are not washed due to concerns that removing the natural protective coating from eggshells makes them more susceptible to bacteria. Polish veterinary officials are currently assessing whether the country’s farmers can meet U.S. food safety requirements, including whether Poland has a comparable inspection system and whether there have been significant bird flu outbreaks.
EU Regulations on Egg Washing
Although European Union regulations stipulate that table eggs “shall not be washed or cleaned,” member states have some flexibility if they authorized egg washing at packing plants decades ago.
In Denmark, for example, washed eggs are the norm, but Sweden and Norway have informed the U.S. that they do not have extra eggs to export, according to Jørgen Nyberg Larsen, CEO of the Danish Egg Association.
Shift Toward Powdered Eggs
For now, any increased egg imports to the U.S. from Europe are more likely to come in powdered form or other products that can be frozen or dried. Larsen added that Poland’s trade association told U.S. officials that while there may be limited availability of shell eggs, the country could supply “very large volumes” of processed egg products.
The Role of Processed Eggs
Processed eggs are typically pasteurized to prevent foodborne illnesses and are used in food manufacturing or by businesses like restaurants, hospitals, and nursing homes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Products such as baked goods, pasta, and sauces like mayonnaise often contain egg powder.
Europe Faces Its Own Production Issues
In addition to reaching out to other European countries, U.S. officials also explored the possibility of sourcing emergency egg supplies from farmers in Italy’s Veneto region, according to Coldiretti, Italy’s main agricultural lobbying organization.
