Finland has turned down a request from the United States for the supply of chicken eggs, as reported by the Finnish publication Yle. The head of the Finnish Poultry Association, Veera Lehtil3, explained the refusal is largely due to the lack of existing bilateral trade agreements, which would have enabled Finnish access to the American market and established export rules.
The Finnish authorities have not conducted appropriate negotiations with their American counterparts, and such talks could take considerable time, requiring extensive checks and research. This bureaucratic process is complicated by the fact Finland has never shipped poultry products to the U.S. before.
Lehtil3 pointed out another significant reason for the rejection is the absence of economic benefits for the U.S. arising from these shipments. With millions of chickens culled due to avian influenza over recent years, the U.S. market's current need could exceed what Finland can potentially supply. "The total number of chickens in Finland stands at just 4 million, and the eggs produced would unlikely offset the volume lost due to the disease here," Lehtil3 stated.
Evidence of avian influenza’s severe impact on U.S. poultry was reflected in data released from the Department of Agriculture. Just in the first two months of 2025, 35 million birds were reported culled on commercial farms throughout the country due to the disease. This has exacerbated supply issues and led to spiraling prices. Notably, prices of chicken eggs have increased by 59 percent compared to last year, making them the highest among G20 countries.
The concern is not limited to the U.S. alone; finland is also dealing with problems related to chicken eggs linked to avian influenza, reflecting the global scale of the crisis. Lehtil3 remarked, "Avian flu is not only a problem for America; it's a serious global issue." Fortunately, Finland has been noted for its effective strategies against the disease.
On the American side, it appears officials have been actively pursuing alternatives to address the egg supply crisis. The U.S. has successfully negotiated supply agreements with several countries, including Canada, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. CNN has also reported on the U.S. plans to initiate egg supplies from Turkey soon.
The appeal from the U.S. to various nations, including European countries for increased egg supplies, arises primarily from the acute deficit of this product and its considerable price surge. The rapid escalation of avian influenza outbreaks has caused persistent supply challenges, contributing to the overall market instability.
With these circumstances marking the current state of poultry importation discussions, it's evident the ramifications of avian influenza extend far beyond borders, affecting global food supply chains and economies alike.