In Mexico, a lucrative egg smuggling business has emerged towards the United States, with profits of up to 300% per kilo crossed. The National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec) revealed that this practice has become common due to the crisis and shortage of this food in the U.S. which has led consumers to pay more than 250 pesos for a dozen eggs.
Anpec president, Cuauhtémoc Rivera, reported that approximately 20 million eggs daily are feeding this smuggling through border crossings. While in Mexico the price per kilo of eggs hovers around 60 pesos, in cities like California, Texas, and New York, a dozen can reach 250 pesos, up to four times its original cost.
Rivera highlights that this price difference is generating 300% profits for smugglers, which has attracted the participation of people from both countries in this lucrative business. Smuggling is being carried out both in small amounts, with families crossing the border with small quantities, and in larger shipments, camouflaged among other merchandise.
The Agricultural Markets Consulting Group indicates that about 15% of the 140 million eggs produced daily in Mexico are destined for smuggling to the United States. Cuauhtémoc Rivera details that the modus operandi is well-defined, with people transporting the eggs under special conditions to avoid detection at border crossings.
Customs authorities in both countries would also be implicated in this operation, allowing the smuggling of boxes of eggs camouflaged with other goods. Through agreements and communication via WhatsApp messages, the shipments and receptions of these illegal products are coordinated, forming a structured trade chain.
In an attempt to curb this smuggling, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office has reported a 29% increase in the confiscation of shelled eggs in recent weeks. Additionally, fines of up to $10,000 have been established for travelers attempting to introduce raw eggs into the country, in order to deter this illegal practice.
