Turkey has started exporting large quantities of eggs to the United States in response to a bird flu outbreak that has severely impacted the U.S. egg supply. Under a preliminary agreement, 15,000 tonnes of eggs—equivalent to 700 containers—are set to be shipped by July.
Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in Turkey, confirmed the deal, noting that two Turkish companies will coordinate the shipments, which began this month. The exports are expected to generate approximately $26 million (€24.9 million) in revenue.
The U.S. is currently dealing with the H5N1 avian influenza, which has led to egg shortages and soaring prices. Although bird flu has been present in the U.S. for years, the virus spread to dairy cattle in 2024, further complicating the situation.
In response to the outbreak, U.S. farmers have been culling hens, resulting in a dramatic rise in egg prices—up 65% in 2024, with an additional 15% increase in January. Since 2022, an estimated 162 million birds, including chickens and turkeys, have been lost to the disease.
Adding to the challenges, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the termination of several employees working on the bird flu response as part of a cost-cutting plan by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. The USDA is now working to rehire those affected by the cuts.
