U.S. considers increasing egg imports amid skyrocketing prices

The U.S. will look to import more eggs as it responds to an ongoing outbreak of bird flu that has egg prices surging more than 50% from a year ago.

The federal government plans to purchase eggs from other nations as part of a five-pronged strategy, backed by $1 billion in funding, to combat a strain of avian influenza that hit in late 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. The plan includes another $500 million in funding for biosecurity measures, $400 million in relief for impacted farmers and $100 million for vaccine research, the USDA said.

The USDA said there is no approved vaccine in the U.S. against bird flu, but the agency will increase research into immunization and ease regulations to reduce egg costs. Million of birds have been culled since December amid infections among egg-laying hens from California to Iowa, causing grocery stores to limit purchases and breakfast chains including Waffle House and Denny's to add surcharges to orders with eggs.