Trump Reveals Plan to Combat Bird Flu and Egg Price 'Disaster'

The U.S. is ramping up egg imports and boosting support for chicken farmers to combat record-high egg prices caused by the worst avian flu outbreak in history. The Trump administration has unveiled a $1 billion plan to address the crisis.

Key Facts:

The U.S. will import between 70 million and 100 million eggs in the next two months.
The Department of Agriculture announced a $1 billion plan to support farmers and prevent further outbreaks.
Millions of birds have been culled, driving egg prices over $8 per dozen.
In 2015, the U.S. imported 53 million eggs to deal with a similar crisis.
While some in the industry support bird flu vaccinations, the government is holding off due to unproven results.

The Rest of The Story:

Egg prices have soared as the latest wave of avian flu devastates poultry farms from Iowa to California. Grocery stores have limited purchases, and restaurants are adding surcharges to offset costs.

To stabilize supply, the U.S. plans to significantly increase egg imports from countries like Canada, Spain, and France. While this won’t fully replace lost domestic production—over 8 billion eggs were produced in January alone—it may help ease shortages in the short term.

Beyond imports, the government’s plan focuses on biosecurity measures to prevent further outbreaks and financial assistance to help farmers recover. The USDA is also exploring the potential for vaccinations but is hesitant to push ahead without clear evidence of effectiveness.

Agriculture Secretary @BrookeLRollins on @USDA's effort to combat the effects of avian flu and bring down egg prices: "American taxpayers, American consumers, and American poultry farmers have relief coming." pic.twitter.com/56xxV7LgbV

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) February 26, 2025

Commentary:

The rising cost of eggs has put a strain on American families, making even basic groceries harder to afford. Importing millions of eggs is a necessary and welcome step to provide immediate relief. While it won’t fully replace domestic production, increasing supply should help bring prices down and ease the burden on consumers.

Beyond imports, the USDA’s efforts to support farmers are critical. Instead of mass culling, which only worsens shortages, the focus on quarantining and treating infected flocks is a more sustainable approach. This ensures that farms can recover more quickly while maintaining a stable egg supply.

Equally important is the decision to hold off on rushing into vaccinations. While some in the industry support it, no long-term studies exist on how these vaccines might affect poultry or, indirectly, human health. Prioritizing research before implementation is the responsible path forward.

Protecting the domestic egg supply must remain a priority. Supporting farmers, improving biosecurity, and taking a measured approach to disease control will help prevent future crises. While imports offer a short-term fix, the ultimate goal should be a strong, self-sufficient egg industry that doesn’t leave Americans at the mercy of global supply chains.

The Bottom Line:

The government is taking steps to lower egg prices by increasing imports and aiding struggling farmers. While this provides short-term relief, the real solution lies in strengthening domestic production and preventing future crises. Keeping America’s food supply secure should remain a top priority.