Poultry farmers across the country are on edge as the avian flu continues to grow in the US, with more than 24 states affected since the start of 2022.
Border officials are seeing more eggs and poultry being seized as people continue to try to bring much-needed food into the United States amid rising prices.
US Customs and Border Protection reported a 108% increase in chicken egg seizures at ports of entry from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 last year, according to the Border Report, which focuses on the southern border.
“My advice is, don’t bring them in,” CBP Agriculture Specialist Charles Payne told the site. “If you fail to declare or try to smuggle them, you will face criminal penalties.”
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A shopper examines eggs before purchasing at a grocery store in Glenview, Illinois. Border officials are seeing more eggs being seized due to inflation and rising prices. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh/AP Newsroom)
In December, egg prices rose the most in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, according to the data sales company Datasembly, which collects real-time data from 200 retailers in North America. Walmart, Kroger and Target.
A carton of 12 eggs rose by more than 64% in all of the aforementioned countries, according to the data trading company. That compares to an 18% increase seen in states like Oregon, California and Washington, according to the data.
The average price of a dozen grade A eggs in November was $3.59, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year ago, the average price for the same painting was $1.72, the Labor Department shows
Jennifer De La O, director of fields for the CBP’s San Diego office, tweeted Monday that authorities have seen an increase in the seizure of raw eggs.
“As a reminder, raw eggs are prohibited from entering Mexico to the U.S. Failure to declare agriculture can result in penalties of up to $10,000,” he wrote.
Empty shelves of eggs are seen in a supermarket on January 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (I RYU/VCG via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Border officials rarely see eggs being smuggled into the United States compared to other products such as cheese or fruits and vegetables that could cause exotic diseases or harm US agriculture. In October, CBP officers in El Paso, Texas seized 484 pounds of bologna found in a truck during an inspection and 285 pounds of cheese in a separate incident.
Both suspects failed to report the sale and were fined $1,000 each, authorities said.
Fox Business’ Daniella Genovese contributed to this story.
