In response to a severe avian influenza outbreak that has significantly disrupted egg production in the United States, Turkey has commenced the export of 15,000 tonnes of eggs to help alleviate the resulting shortages and soaring prices.
This initiative, coordinated by Turkey’s Egg Producers Central Union (YUM-BIR), involves shipping approximately 700 containers of eggs between February and July 2025, generating an estimated $26 million in revenue for Turkish producers.
The U.S. has been grappling with an avian influenza outbreak since 2022, leading to the culling of about 160 million birds, including laying hens, which has drastically reduced domestic egg supplies.
This shortage has caused egg prices to surge nearly 38% between fall 2023 and fall 2024, prompting retailers like Costco and Trader Joe’s to impose purchasing limits.
To address the crisis, U.S. firms have sought alternative import markets, leading to negotiations with Turkish producers.
Turkey, ranking among the world’s top 10 egg exporters, has the capacity to supply additional eggs without affecting its domestic market.
However, the logistics of transporting such a large quantity of eggs over long distances present challenges, including maintaining quality through proper handling and temperature control, meeting U.S. packaging standards, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
Additionally, Turkey must maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent bird flu outbreaks that could jeopardize the export agreement.
In parallel, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is exploring long-term solutions, such as granting conditional approval for the use of an avian influenza vaccine in poultry.
However, widespread vaccination faces challenges, including effectiveness against various virus strains, logistical costs, and potential trade implications, as vaccinated birds may be asymptomatic carriers, complicating outbreak detection and international trade.
Despite these efforts, experts caution that the egg shortage may persist if the avian influenza outbreak continues unabated.
While imports from Turkey provide temporary relief, sustained solutions are necessary to stabilize the U.S. egg market in the long term.
