Egg prices surge as Brazil eyes U.S. export opportunity

Egg prices in Brazil have reached record levels. In Bastos, the country’s top egg-producing hub, in the state of São Paulo, the price of white eggs has risen by more than 20% compared to the same period last year, according to the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (CEPEA) at Esalq/USP. For consumers, the increase reaches 40%, according to the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS).

The price spike is linked to a supply shortage, following nearly a year of downward pressure on egg prices. This led to an adjustment in production at the beginning of the year, said Cláudia Scarpelin, an egg market researcher at CEPEA.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Brazil’s egg production was 11% higher than in the same period of 2023, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The increased supply caused a prolonged drop in prices. However, lower production at the start of 2025, combined with rising demand as school vacations ended, has driven prices back up.

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) attributes the price surge to seasonal factors, particularly demand increases before and during Lent. The association expects prices to stabilize after this period.

According to ABPA, production costs have also risen sharply, with corn prices up 30% over the past eight months and egg packaging costs more than doubling. Extreme heat has worsened the situation, as high temperatures reduce the productivity of laying hens.

The chart below exhibits the monthly behavior of shipments of Brazilian egg exports between January 2021 and December 2024. This information was derived from DataLiner, a Datamar-powered maritime intelligence product.

Egg Exports | Brazil | Jan-Dec 2021 vs Jan-Dec 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

U.S. shortage

Egg price inflation is not unique to Brazil. The United States is facing a supply crisis driven by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Since the epidemic began in February 2022, bird flu has been detected in all 50 U.S. states, leading to the culling of more than 23.5 million laying hens.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that egg supplies remain “very limited to moderate, with little sign of short-term improvement” as producers struggle to replenish flocks.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, egg prices in January 2025 soared by 96.4% year over year, rising from $2.52 to $4.95 per dozen. Compared to December 2024, prices jumped 19%, from $4.15 to $4.95 per dozen.

With the U.S. facing supply shortages, global egg producers are eyeing opportunities to fill the gap. ABPA President Ricardo Santin says Brazil has the capacity to increase exports without jeopardizing domestic supply, a trend that should become clearer in the coming months. However, while Brazilian egg exports increased in January, they still account for less than 1% of total national production.

Marcus Menoita, CEO of Raiar Orgânicos, sees the U.S. market as an attractive opportunity. “The price is tempting,” he said. Yet, he added that “the market remains out of reach” because Brazil lacks sanitary agreements for large-scale egg exports, particularly for shell eggs.

Mr. Santin, however, notes that negotiations to expand sanitary approvals are “midway through,” with Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry working on the issue while awaiting a response from the U.S. government.

In the meantime, Brazil has seen an uptick in egg exports for alternative uses, such as pet food, which faces fewer sanitary restrictions. The Agriculture Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Brazilian egg producers are also exploring opportunities to supply other markets that previously relied on the U.S. for their imports.

By Gabriella Weiss, Globo Rural — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

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