US to Import Millions of Eggs from Turkey and South Korea Amid Price Surge

In a noteworthy move to combat rising egg prices in the United States, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced plans to import hundreds of millions of eggs from Turkey and South Korea. This initiative comes as the government acknowledges the skyrocketing costs faced by consumers, attributable to a severe avian flu epidemic that has led to the culling of tens of millions of chickens across the nation. Despite promises to lower prices, egg costs in the US have surged by over 65% in the past year, with estimates suggesting a further increase of 41% by 2025.

Rollins detailed the administration's efforts during a recent White House briefing, indicating that discussions are ongoing with various countries for new egg supplies, although specific nations were not disclosed. Notably, Polish and Lithuanian poultry associations reported that US embassies had reached out to them regarding potential egg exports, suggesting a broadening of supply sources.

This action aligns with the Biden administration's broader $1 billion plan aimed at reducing egg prices, which allocates significant funding for biosecurity measures, vaccine research, and financial relief for farmers. Rollins emphasized the focus on enabling commercial egg farms to adopt best practices and receive consulting services to curb the spread of bird flu effectively.

The current avian flu outbreak, which began in 2022, has been particularly devastating, resulting in the loss of over 156 million birds and consequently, a steep increase in egg prices, becoming a critical issue for American consumers. During his recent congressional address, President Biden blamed the previous administration for failing to control egg prices, a narrative he continues to navigate as he works to stabilize the market amid ongoing challenges.