Market analysis: egg shortages and prices in Europe and the US

In northwestern Europe, poultry farmers can take full advantage of exceptionally high prices. While the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany are still reasonably spared, the supply on the world market is tight due to outbreaks of bird flu (H5N1) and Newcastle disease (NCD) in Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia and America.

The impact of the bird flu outbreak is particularly noticeable in the United States. Since January 2022, more than 1,600 outbreaks of bird flu have been reported on American farms and among hobby farmers in the states of California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. More than 166 million chickens have already been affected. In addition to poultry, there are also many cases of dairy cows infected by the virus in the US.

The mass culling has had an effect on the egg market. Egg prices in the US are generally much more volatile than those in Europe. In addition, American prices were lower than those in Europe in part of 2023. But in 2024, poultry farmers in the US who still had productive animals received an average of 70% more for an egg (€367.29 per 100 kgs) than producers in Europe (€216.52 per 100 kgs).

The price difference skyrocketed to unprecedented heights this year. With an average of €248.51 per 100 kgs, eggs in Europe brought in 15% more in the first 12 weeks of this year than in 2024. But American eggs brought in no less than 155% more than last year. The average egg price in the first quarter of this year was €935.43 per 100 kgs, with a peak of almost €1,200 per 100 kgs. That is more than 4.5 times as much as European eggs at that time.

Egg prices in the United States are now falling again following government intervention. In order to keep eggs affordable for consumers, the country is trying to increase imports. Several Dutch egg processors have also been approached to supply to the United States. The effect of this is not yet clear, but if it happens, it will generate extra demand in Europe.

Tags: Market, outbreaks, The Netherlands, bird flu, poultry farmers, eggs, prices, Europe, Belgium, US, Germany