How more expensive eggs are triggering increased seizures at US borders

US authorities have increased seizures of eggs smuggled across the Mexican border.

Amid a global scarcity of the product, which has driven up its price, many have been crossing the border to buy cheaper eggs – usually half of what they pay in the US.

But anyone caught smuggling eggs could face fines of up to $10,000 (R$52,000), according to the US government.

Apprehensions at border posts increased by more than 100%.

US egg prices rose 60% in December compared to a year earlier. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 alone, egg and poultry seizures increased by 108%, according to Department of Agriculture statistics.

Earlier this week, Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in San Diego, wrote on Twitter that her team “recently noticed an increase in the number of intercepted eggs at our ports of entry.” .

For some locals, attempts to buy eggs in Mexico come as no surprise. A local affiliate of broadcaster CBS, the BBC’s partner in the United States, reported that a carton of a dozen eggs costs almost US$8 (R$41) in some mini-markets in border communities, compared to less than US$3 (R$41). $16) across the border in Tijuana, Mexico.

Anthony Gago, who owns a market in San Ysidro — which is on the border with Mexico — has noticed that some unhappy customers turn away and cross the border into Mexico when faced with high prices.

“A box of 100 eggs is $40. If you buy them separately they are $9.99 and it’s obviously more expensive if you buy five,” Gago said.

Border Report, a website focusing on US-Mexico border news, showed a similar trend along the border between El Paso, Texas — where eggs typically cost around $6 — and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. In the Mexican city, they are sold for approximately US$ 3.40 (R$ 17.72).

“My advice is: don’t bring them [para os EUA]” said Charles Payne, CBP’s agricultural oversight specialist. “If you fail to declare them or attempt to smuggle them in, you will be subject to civil penalties.”

According to Payne, fines of up to $10,000 are reserved for illegal commercial shipments. Individuals can face fines of approximately US$300 (R$1,562.49), and those who declare their eggs can avoid them – although the product will be seized and later destroyed.

“If you don’t declare or try to smuggle in, there will be a penalty,” Payne told Border Report.

It is unclear how many of the egg seizures resulted from attempted illegal commercial shipments, compared to attempts by individual consumers.

The US government’s Consumer Price Index, which measures official inflation, shows that — nationally — the price of a dozen large eggs has risen from $1.93 in January 2022 to US$ 4.25 (R$ 22.14) in December of the same year, an increase of 120%.

The BBC reached out to CBP for comment, but did not hear back by the time of writing.

This text was originally published here.