Turkiye has begun exporting 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the United States to help ease a severe egg shortage caused by a bird flu outbreak. The deadly virus has slashed U.S. egg production, pushing prices higher and forcing grocery stores to ration supplies.
U.S. Egg Supply Under Pressure
The bird flu outbreak, which started in 2022, has decimated about 162 million birds across the U.S., including chickens and turkeys. This led to a drastic drop in egg production and left restaurants and grocery stores struggling to meet demand. Chad Gregory, CEO of United Egg Producers, stated that importing eggs from international markets would help alleviate supply shortages.
Turkiye Steps In
Shipments of Turkish eggs to the U.S. began this month and will continue until July. Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkiye, confirmed that 15,000 tonnes—equivalent to 700 containers—will be sent to the U.S.
“The exports will be handled by our authorized member companies, with two firms overseeing the process,” Afyon said. He noted that the deal is expected to generate around $26 million in export revenue for Turkiye.
Bird Flu’s Human Impact
The virus has also spread to humans, with 70 reported infections since April. Most cases were among farm workers exposed to infected poultry or cattle. One person has died from the infection.
The virus first appeared in dairy cattle in Texas in March 2024 and has since spread to 17 states, impacting more than 970 herds. The rising number of infections has fueled concerns about further supply disruptions.
Vaccination Efforts Underway
In response to the outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to rebuild its stockpile of bird flu vaccines. The USDA has granted a conditional license to Zoetis, an animal health company, to produce a bird flu vaccine for chickens. However, the agency has not yet approved widespread use of the vaccine.
Turkiye’s Role in the Global Egg Market
Turkiye is one of the world’s top 10 egg exporters. Its egg producers have built a reputation for high-quality, large-scale production, making them a reliable partner during global food shortages. U.S. companies turned to Turkiye as they sought alternative egg sources amid the ongoing crisis.
Looking Ahead
As the U.S. continues its efforts to contain the outbreak, egg imports from Turkiye may provide temporary relief to American consumers. However, long-term stability in the egg market will depend on successful containment of the virus and improvements in domestic production.
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