WASHINGTON/COPENHAGEN: Facing a shortage at home, the United States (US) has approached agricultural associations in Denmark and Sweden for help in acquiring eggs, German news agency dpa reported, citing media reports on Friday.
Danish industry representative Jørgen Nyberg Larsen told the trade magazine AgriWatch that the US had inquired about how many eggs could be delivered and had also made similar requests in Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Markus Lindström, managing director of Swedish egg supplier Kronägg, confirmed to the newspaper Göteborgs-Posten that he had also been approached by US authorities for eggs.
However, he dampened the hopes of American egg consumers, stating that exports to the US are unlikely.
Not only do export regulations speak against it, but transport across the Atlantic is also difficult.
Eggs are currently in short supply in the US, and are significantly more expensive than usual.
The reason for this is the latest outbreak of bird flu.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu is currently widespread among wild birds around the world.
In the US, the virus has led to outbreaks in poultry and dairy farms.
Numerous battery hens have been culled in an effort to contain the outbreak.
According to reports, Denmark’s Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen has said that the US’ requests are a good example of how the US continues to depend on Europe for trade.
According to a CNN report, Turkey, on the other hand, wants to significantly expand its egg exports to the US.
The US government has not yet confirmed the various requests for eggs. – BERNAMA-dpa
