Turkish Eggs May Help Meet US Demand

February 21, 2025 – In response to a severe avian influenza outbreak that has significantly disrupted egg production in the United States, Turkey has agreed to export 15,000 tons (approximately 33 million pounds) of eggs to the U.S. by July 2025. This initiative, coordinated by Turkey’s Egg Producers Central Union, aims to alleviate the egg shortage and stabilize soaring prices affecting American consumers.

The U.S. has been grappling with an avian influenza outbreak since 2022, leading to the culling of approximately 162 million birds across 17 states. This has severely impacted domestic egg supplies, necessitating increased imports to meet consumer demand.

The importation of Turkish eggs is expected to generate around $26 million in revenue for Turkish producers. The shipments will consist primarily of pre-packaged, medium-sized eggs, which are preferred for long-distance transport. Turkish officials have assured that this export agreement will not affect domestic egg prices.

In parallel, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to rebuild its bird flu vaccine stockpiles and has recently granted a conditional license for a poultry vaccine, though its usage has yet to be approved.

This collaboration between Turkey and the United States underscores the importance of international partnerships in addressing food supply challenges and ensuring market stability amid unforeseen agricultural crises.