The US President vowed to slash egg prices on his first day in office but instead has seen costs explode. Wholesale prices increased by an eye-watering 59% on a year-on-year basis in February, leaving hard-pressed American consumers deeply disgruntled.

U.S. wholesale egg prices are shattering records as an accelerating outbreak of bird flu in laying hens slashes supplies. Trump promised to lower egg prices on his first day in office but prices increased 59% on a year-on-year basis in February, the first full month of his administration.

Americans have been attempting to smuggle eggs from Mexico and Canada due to high egg prices in the United States. Egg interceptions are up 36% in the U.S. compared to last year, according to Customs and Border Protection,

Smuggling of eggs is considered illegal in some countries as eggs which have not been formally inspected can spread diseases.

The Trump administration has called on European countries to supply eggs to the U.S., as Americans continue to face rising costs for this basic staple. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the request while Trump signed new tariffs on European aluminum and steel and threatened to impose 200% tariffs on alcoholic beverages.