Else Beekman
The price of eggs in Spain and across Europe has been rising. But not nearly as dramatically as in the United States. The ongoing avian flu epidemic, which has caused record-high egg prices in North America, has had a different impact in Spain.
Since mid-December 2024, American consumers have faced intermittent egg shortages, with prices skyrocketing. In just one month, the average cost of a dozen eggs has surged to $7, marking a 25% increase. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that prices could rise another 20% throughout 2025.
This spike is largely due to the sharp decline in egg-laying hens. When a case of avian flu is detected, all birds within the affected facility must be culled to prevent the spread of the disease. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 145 million birds across 618 US counties have been affected, with 67 human cases recorded—one resulting in death.
Spain and Europe: A more controlled increase
Egg prices in Spain went up by 25%. Noteworthy is that this increase has been spread over four months rather than happening all at once, as in the US. One major factor is that European agriculture was already dealing with price fluctuations due to the war in Ukraine, which disrupted the supply of feed and raw materials.
Spain has experienced relatively fewer disruptions compared to the US. The European response to avian flu has been more controlled, with stronger biosecurity measures and more effective containment strategies. Since August 2023, there have been only 21 outbreaks of avian flu in laying hens across Europe, compared to 476 in the previous year. This relative stability has helped prevent sudden price shocks.
Spain’s stronger disease management
Spanish and European regulations impose stricter biosecurity measures on poultry farms, reducing the risk of mass outbreaks. In the US, dairy farms contributed to the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, health authorities have not observed this phenomenon in Spain. The spread of avian flu has primarily been limited to wild bird populations and isolated poultry farms.
In January 2025, Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) declared a “high risk” of avian flu in the country and implemented preventative measures to mitigate its impact. Authorities banned outdoor poultry farming to reduce exposure to wild birds, a measure that aligns with the European Parliament’s resolution to phase out caged farming before 2027. While this decision required significant investment from egg producers, it has helped contain the virus more effectively than in the US.
Rising prices: A European context
The European Commission reports that egg prices in the EU have risen by 25% since August 2024, reaching record levels of over €240 per 100 kg. Experts attribute this price surge to seasonal demand, reduced production, and the continued spread of avian flu. However, the EU’s egg market has shown greater stability than its US counterpart. This is the result of a higher level of self-sufficiency and stricter disease containment policies.
Can you catch avian flu from eggs?
Despite concerns over avian flu, health experts assure that consuming eggs does not pose a direct risk to human health. According to the US CDC and European health authorities, there is no known link between eating eggs and contracting avian flu. The virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or their secretions.
However, food safety experts recommend proper handling and cooking of eggs to minimise any potential risk. Cooking eggs thoroughly at high temperatures effectively eliminates any viruses or bacteria that might be present. Furthermore, experts advise consumers to check labels for pasteurisation when purchasing dairy products. Additionally, people should avoid consuming raw eggs or unpasteurised milk, which can carry additional health risks.