Amid the chaos caused by the avian flu — which has already decimated nearly 170 million birds in the US — the American breakfast is hanging by a thread. Or better: by a shell.
The United States, in a maneuver worthy of a geopolitical reality show, nearly doubled its imports of Brazilian eggs in February. According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), the increase was 93% compared to the previous year. There’s so much egg coming from Brazil that the sound of Brazilian hens is already echoing in Walmart.
🐓 The Brazilian egg: from feed to Caesar salad
Previously, eggs from Brazil were only used in animal feed. But with the crisis tightening and omelets becoming more expensive, the US government is now considering relaxing laws to allow the use of eggs laid by broiler chickens in processed foods — like cakes, ice creams, and that salad dressing you pretend is light.
The idea is: use these “alternative” eggs in factories and leave the fresh eggs for consumers who want to crack two in the pan and go on with their lives. But, as with any rushed idea, food safety experts have already raised their hands saying:
“This can bring bacteria, folks. It’s not just about throwing egg whites and yolks in everything that will solve it.”
But in the US, when inflation tightens, regulations dance — and who ends up dancing is the consumer's stomach.
👺 And Trump in the middle of this whole omelet?
As could not be missed, Donald Trump, the current president and eternal character of geopolitical cartoon, is already showing signs of wanting to tax foreign eggs.
According to ‘imaginary’ sources close to the White House, he would be bothered by the success of the Brazilian eggs, and Trump would have had an immediate allergic reaction. 🤧
🤬 “These eggs come with a red passport! And they are stealing jobs from American hens!”, he would have shouted, while an aide tried to explain that hens do not have work permits.
👺 Still nervous
🤬 “They are invading our breakfast! First the eggs, then the cheese bread!”, he would have shouted while eating pancakes with maple syrup… made in Canada.
🥸 In practice, his government announced a $1 billion plan to try to control egg prices. It includes measures like containing avian flu, developing vaccines, and… general imports: Brazil, Turkey, South Korea, and even Europe have joined in. All to try to make eggs cost less than a Nasdaq ETF.
🙅♂️ An uncertain future, but with yolks
While the shelves remain somewhat empty, American consumers face the cruel dilemma: “Do I pay $6 a dozen or invent a low-egg diet?”
Brazil, in turn, watches from the sidelines. For the first time in recent history, the tropical egg has become an international strategic asset. And if Trump tries to block the entry of the green-yellow yolk, it could be that Brazilian diplomacy responds in kind:
“Want to tax our eggs? Then hold this brigadeiro with chicken yolk.”
