Turkey's egg exports to the United States surge over 400%, serving as a compensatory measure for avian flu-induced shortages
In the first eight months of 2025, Turkey's egg exports skyrocketed, with a staggering fourfold increase to the United States and nearly a tripling to the European Union. This surge was primarily due to avian flu outbreaks in these regions, causing supply shortages and price hikes, which made Turkish eggs an attractive alternative.
According to official data, Turkey earned $17.7 million from egg sales to the U.S. between January and August 2025, a significant leap from the $3.5 million in the same period the previous year. This surge in demand also led Turkish egg producers to expand into new markets, with notable volumes exported on a country basis.
The crisis in the global egg market, triggered by the avian flu outbreaks, presented an opportunity for Turkey to enter new markets in the egg and poultry industry. Turkish eggs, known for their quality, gained recognition abroad, particularly in the U.S. and European Union markets.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously projected that egg prices would rise by 20% in 2025, compared with a 2.2% increase for overall food prices. The sharp increase in Turkish egg exports followed a bird flu outbreak in the U.S. that affected more than 166 million poultry since 2022. The outbreaks in the U.S. and other countries led to millions of birds being culled, significantly reducing domestic production and pushing the country to seek imports from alternative suppliers, including Turkey.
In the U.S., the average price for a dozen large grade-A eggs stood at $4.95 in January 2025, up nearly 20% from the previous month and 65% higher than in March 2024. However, prices began to stabilize later in the year, with wholesale egg prices falling 64% and retail prices dropping 27% from their peaks by June 2025.
To prevent domestic supply shortages amid surging U.S. demand, the Turkish Trade Ministry imposed a levy of $1.5 per kilogram on table egg exports. This levy was later lifted in July after U.S. demand eased.
Despite the global turmoil in the egg market, Turkey maintained a stable production of 23 billion eggs annually, free from bird flu outbreaks. Overall, Turkey exported eggs worth $238 million to 46 countries during this timeframe, marking a significant milestone in the country's agricultural industry.
This unexpected boom in the Turkish egg market not only demonstrates the country's resilience in the face of global crises but also its potential for growth in the international market. Turkish eggs can now be found in the streets of European Union countries, further expanding the reach of Turkish agriculture.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Trump's Policies: Tariffs, AI, Surveillance, and Possible Martial Law
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
- Abdominal Fat Accumulation: Causes and Strategies for Reduction
