The avian flu outbreak that emerged in the United States in 2015 has resurged, leading to significant losses in poultry populations. Initially, when the disease reappeared in February 2022, producers held hopeful expectations of a less severe impact; however, this has proven to be incorrect, with USDA reporting that 201 million birds have been culled to date, including 11.5 million within the last month alone.

This significant loss represents a substantial percentage of the U.S. poultry population, which includes 379 million laying hens and an annual slaughter rate of around 9.4 billion birds. In comparison, Brazil, which has a similar poultry industry, slaughters about 6.5 billion birds per year. The ongoing avian flu crisis not only results in severe economic repercussions for domestic producers but also leads to inflation for consumers who rely on poultry products, particularly eggs.

Additionally, the spread of avian flu is exacerbated by the movement of wild birds, which are known carriers of the virus. The disease not only affects the domestic market by driving up prices but also impacts international trade, as producers are compelled to import poultry products to meet demand, similar to what was experienced in early 2022 when the U.S. faced an egg shortage due to the outbreak. This situation poses not only immediate challenges for producers and consumers but also highlights the risks associated with avian flu's potential for large-scale impact on food security.