Turkey has begun exporting around 15,000 tons of eggs to the United States, as reported by a industry official on Wednesday (February 19). The ongoing avian flu outbreak in the US has disrupted egg supplies, leading to a surge in egg prices.
Ibrahim Afyon, Chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union (YUM-BIR) in Turkey, told Reuters that the shipment of these exported eggs has started this month and will continue until July.
“This export will be carried out through our member companies that have the necessary authorization, and the two companies will coordinate this process,” Afyon said.
“In total, 15,000 tons of eggs will be shipped, equivalent to 700 containers,” he added.
The United States has been striving to contain the spread of avian flu. Last year in March, the US detected the first case of the current circulating avian flu virus transmitted through cows in Texas, which later spread to multiple states. Since April last year, the avian flu virus has infected nearly 70 people, mainly farmworkers who came into contact with infected poultry or cows.
The avian flu outbreak that started in 2022 has already led to the deaths of approximately 160 million chickens, turkeys, and other poultry, causing a shortage of eggs and a significant increase in egg prices. Major supermarkets in the US have started limiting egg purchases.
According to NBC citing data from the NielsenIQ consumer research group, the average price of eggs at the end of January was $5.29 per dozen, compared to around $3.50 at the same time last year.
Data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that egg prices in December 2024 were 36.8% higher than a year earlier, but still lower than the peak prices in January 2023.
In 2025, the USDA predicts that egg prices will rise by over 20%, with significant monthly variations.
In response, the USDA conditionally approved the animal health company Zoetis to use avian flu vaccines in poultry.
The agency is also restructuring its vaccine stockpile to adapt to the virus strains currently impacting commercial and wild birds.
Afyon mentioned that faced with limited supplies, US companies have been seeking alternative import markets, leading to negotiations with Turkish producers.
He said that this deal is expected to bring Turkey around $26 million in export revenue.
Afyon also added that Turkey is one of the top ten egg exporting countries in the world.
(Reference: This article is based on a report by Reuters)