After Bird Flu Outbreak: USA Also Wants to Buy Eggs in Austria

"We have received a request from the US embassy," said Michael Wurzer from the Poultry Industry Association in response to an inquiry from the APA. However, due to the tense supply situation in Austria, it is currently not possible to deliver additional eggs to the USA, Wurzer explained. Additionally, this would be logistically difficult.

USA Searching for Eggs in Europe After Avian Flu Outbreak

In principle, Austria has only limited export capacities, as the laying hen farms are geared towards supplying the domestic market, Wurzer explained. There is also increased demand in the food retail sector. "This is because catering businesses, which otherwise obtain foreign eggs through wholesale, are partly shopping in the food retail sector," he explained. The reason: In retail, eggs are currently cheaper than on the spot markets in Europe, where prices have risen due to avian flu, as in the USA. "That's why we can't export more eggs to the States."

Practically speaking, increased supply to the USA would also be difficult from Wurzer's perspective. "Eggs have a best-before date of 28 days. Whether this works out well over the sea route is questionable, and eggs must also be stored chilled. And by plane, it becomes very expensive," said the association's managing director. In the USA, eggs are currently scarce due to the outbreak of avian flu in poultry and dairy farms - and therefore significantly more expensive than usual. Numerous laying hens have been culled. Despite growing tensions amid the US trade war, the United States has therefore turned to Europe to meet its needs. Among others, they asked Germany, Sweden, and Denmark for more exports.

Egg Supply for Easter in Austria Secured

In Austria, there is no need to worry about the supply of eggs before and during Easter, Wurzer emphasized to the APA. Although there is still occasional scarcity here after the avian flu outbreak in autumn 2024, "we will be able to supply Austrians with enough fresh eggs." If some varieties are out of stock, "we ask consumers to choose Austrian eggs from other forms of husbandry," Wurzer said. LKÖ President Josef Moosbrugger expressed a similar sentiment on Wednesday. To ensure self-sufficiency, it is important "to remain loyal to our domestic top quality and to focus even more on it," he appealed in a statement.

(APA/Red)

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