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Due to the large-scale outbreak of bird flu in the United States, which caused a shortage of eggs and a record increase in prices, American companies were forced to look for alternative suppliers. Turkey has responded quickly, shipping 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the US this month, said Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Central Union of Egg Producers of Turkey. This was reported by Reuters.
“Deliveries are made through companies that have the appropriate certificates. It is expected that 700 containers of eggs will be shipped by July,” Afion said.
According to him, the deal will bring about $26 million to Turkish exports. Turkey is one of the world’s top 10 egg exporters.
Egg prices in the US break records
According to the latest Consumer Price Index, the average price for a dozen eggs reached $4.95 in January, surpassing the record of 2022. For comparison, in August 2023, eggs cost $2.04 per dozen.
These are the most expensive eggs in the US since the previous bird flu epidemic in 2015. At the same time, specialised categories of eggs, such as organic and farmed, are even more expensive.
Mass slaughter of poultry and restrictions on sales in stores
The main reason for the price increase is the bird flu epidemic that has been going on for two years. The US government reports that 158 million birds have been killed since the outbreak began. In January of this year alone, more than 23 million chickens were slaughtered, and in December – another 18 million.
The shortage has also affected US stores, with many supermarkets limiting the number of eggs you can buy at a time.
Forecasts: egg prices will remain high
Experts do not expect a rapid decline in prices, especially on the eve of Easter, when demand traditionally increases. The US Department of Agriculture predicts that egg prices will rise by another 20% in 2024.
