Will Trump fall on the eggs? Given prices, almost 1 euro each: because it is a danger for the president

While the world is in shock for the daily decisions with which Donald Trump takes the international rules and institutions to the heart of American democracy and the world order, the political destiny of America is played on something much more concrete and apparently modest: The price of eggs. Basic food for Americansthe eggs have become the symbol of everything that is wrong with the United States, especially for the middle class and the poorest ones. They were decisive in facilitating the consents of former president Joe Biden and all hope for re -election for the Democrats. But now, beyond the fireworks with which Trump is distracting everyone, They could also prove to be one of the greatest dangers for its presidency.

Eggs, absurd increases: up to 500% in 5 years

Until 2019, in fact, a pack of 12 eggs cost $ 1.54 on average. Last December the price for 12 eggs, always in the wholesale, had risen to $ 4.15, an increase of 170%. At the end of February 2025, however, in retail stores 12 eggs are now paid about 8 dollars (but well over ten dollars can also arrive): The average price reached $ 7.86, with peaks of $ 13 in California. It is an increase compared to 2019, of approximately 500%.

Trump, in the election campaign, had promised that once re -elected he would lower the cost of the food « on the first day ». But it didn't happen (Here an analysis of fires as to why the duties will return against US consumers). And the United States's Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides that egg prices in 2025 will increase by 20% (the estimated increase for food on the whole is only 2.2%).

Almost an egg every day

Eggs are not a food like everyone else in the United States. They are a piece of national identity. Fundamental ingredient for the breakfasts and for many preparations, they are considered essential also because they are affordable for everyone. Before the increase in the price, in 2019, the Americans ate on average 279 eggs per year, or 5-6 per week. Increasing the price of eggs is almost like making the air pay. Americans are so used to buying them shortly that many supermarkets, explains Atlantic, sell them at torn prices or even below cost to attract customers (and then margin on other products). Now it is becoming more difficult, because they have become too expensive and the shops have started to download the increases on customers.

The announcement of other increases

This week The popular chain of hot tables Waffle House (1900 diner in 25 states, open 24 hours a day every day of the week, where you can eat cheap) has announced a surcharge of 50 cents for each eggto cover the increase in costs. The breakfast of the restaurant with two eggs is a toast and a side dish now costs 7.75 dollars. « Although we hope that these price fluctuations are short -lived, we cannot predict how much it will last, » said the company.

The theft of eggs

It is not the only restaurants that have problems. «The eggs are fundamental for us, we are a diner. We must have egg dishes. We never want to stop making them or make people pay more. So let's try to understand how to cut costs elsewhere, « he told CBS News Kip Greenco-owner of the Montague Diner of Brooklyn, New York, which, like all premises of this type, uses hundreds per day (eggs are in almost half of the dishes of his menu). They are now so precious that The theft of 100 thousand eggs from the back of a trailer in Pennsylvania It has become a national case (they are worth 40 thousand dollars).

The pandemic and the war in Ukraine

To push the cost of the eggs were partly specific causes and partly related to the factors that with the pandemic first and then with the war in Ukraine they caused an increase in inflation globally. The main reason is the avian influenza epidemic that has affected 145 million birds in all the United States in the last three years, decreasing egg production. An increase in cases in November and December forced the authorities, to prevent contagions, to break down 17.2 million hens only in those two months. « According to the USDA – Usa Today writes – they represent almost half of all the birds killed by the virus in 2024 ».

Eggs for Americans imported from Türkiye

The lack of eggs in America has pushed the US companies to contact the Türkiye. The union of the country producers estimates for this year of Export 420 million eggs to the United Statesthe highest figure ever. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, Turkey is the main country from which the United States import eggs Given the drop in national production.

Avian influence

H5n1 avian influence spread in the United States rather than elsewhere, hitting wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals (it has also led to the reduction of numerous cattle). Last month in Louisiana the first human death was recorded linked to the avian influence and so far 67 people have been infected. Meanwhile, as feared by many, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as Secretary of Health of the Trump Administration. Kennedy is known for his positions non -slip (it is a convinced no vax) and there is the fear that it could dismantle part of the safeguards of the US centers for the control and prevention of diseasesthe body that deals with fighting threats to public health in the United States. In the immediate term there may be less felling of hens. But then the epidemic would spread even more.

Intensive farms

«Aviaria influence is absolutely devastating for poultry farms. When a hens farm is affected by the virus, it must follow a complete and long process that provides different phases and government approvals before being able to start repopulating with new herds and return to produce eggs. This process can take more than a year from nine months, « said the category association of egg manufacturers at CBS News. In intensive farms there are over a million hens and it is enough that one is hit to have to resort to the abetting: This quickly leads to a deficiency of eggs and therefore to the increase in prices.

Transport costs

The increases are also caused by the more general growth of inflation and transport costs, which in the United States is exacerbated by a deficiency of truckers. «Transport to refrigerated trucks is a sore point of the food supply chain right now. There is a shortage of drivers, long -distance truck rates have increased and eggs have a high intensity of transport, « Ricky Volpe, professor of agri -food science at the Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, explained to CBS Moneywatch. « Even before the avian influence, the trucks were unable to deliver the eggs in a timely way. »

For all these reasons, the price of the eggs was one of the topics of the first press conference of the Trump spokesman White Karoline Leavitt, which has blamed the increases to the « mass killing of 100 million hens » decided by the Biden administration (without mentioning the aviaria). In these days, the news on duties, cuts in government, international aid, support measures for inclusion and trans people, or Trump's international policy, are held in Tenner Banco. Not the price of eggs. However, the Americans continue to pay them. And this in the long run could cost dearly to Trump. « Most people voted for cheaper eggs, they did not vote for this chaos, » said democratic senator Martin Heinrich about the president's executive orders.