The U.S. Egg Crisis: A Battle Against Avian Flu and Rising Prices

24/03/2025

The U.S. is currently facing an egg crisis as avian influenza (bird flu) rapidly spreads through poultry farms, severely disrupting egg production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have been working tirelessly to contain the outbreak, but millions of chickens have already been culled, and egg prices are soaring.

How the Crisis Unfolded

The avian flu outbreak has been affecting the U.S. since 2022, but the situation worsened in 2025. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain, has spread across farms, leading to the destruction of millions of birds. As the virus continues to spread, the USDA and APHIS have strengthened biosecurity measures, collaborating with international authorities to detect and isolate infected animals. Despite these efforts, the poultry sector has been heavily impacted, particularly in the egg market, where production has dropped dramatically.

This drop in production has led to significant price hikes. Egg prices have surged by nearly 160% in the past five years, with some stores charging as much as $10 for a dozen eggs. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, prices increased by 15.2% in January 2025 alone. The USDA has warned that egg prices will continue to rise, with a projected 20% increase by the end of the year.

The U.S. Government’s Response

The USDA is actively working to mitigate the crisis. They have allocated up to $1 billion to combat the avian flu and stabilize egg prices. Despite these efforts, the egg shortage has led to export restrictions and a reliance on imports to meet demand. The U.S. has had to import eggs from a limited number of countries, including Canada, Taiwan, and Lithuania. However, these imports are nowhere near enough to replace the lost domestic production.

While the U.S. focuses on controlling the outbreak and stabilizing the egg market, the broader poultry industry continues to feel the impact. Avian flu outbreaks are not limited to egg-laying hens; they’ve also affected other types of poultry, further straining supply.

Health Concerns and Global Impact

While the primary concern remains economic, there are health risks tied to the avian flu outbreak. The U.S. has reported its first human death from the virus, and a new strain of the disease has also been detected in cattle in Nevada, causing additional concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assured the public that the risk to human health remains low, but the growing number of infections, both in poultry and livestock, has caused anxiety across the country.

The spread of the virus has not only impacted the U.S. but also disrupted global agricultural markets. The avian flu has caused similar disruptions in other countries, leading to global shortages and rising food prices.

Turkey Seizes the Opportunity

Amid the U.S. egg shortage, Turkey has stepped in to fill the gap. After a two-year hiatus, Turkey has resumed exporting eggs to the U.S. to meet the increasing demand. The Turkish Egg Producers’ Association confirmed that shipments began in February 2025 and will continue through July, providing a much-needed supply boost.

In total, Turkey is set to export 15,000 tons of eggs to the U.S. in 2025, equivalent to around 700 containers. The U.S. government expects the shipments to rise to approximately 420 million eggs this year. Turkey’s decision to export eggs is a strategic response to the ongoing U.S. shortage, and the move is expected to bring in substantial revenue for the country. Meanwhile, the Turkish domestic market will continue to operate without significant price instability, as the country’s egg supply remains stable.

Looking Ahead: The Long-Term Outlook

The egg crisis in the U.S. is not expected to resolve quickly. The USDA and APHIS are doing everything they can to control the spread of avian flu, but as outbreaks continue to affect poultry farms, prices will likely stay high for the foreseeable future. The U.S. will need to rely on imports, like Turkey’s, to supplement domestic production and ensure consumers have access to eggs.

As the crisis unfolds, it also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of poultry farming in the U.S. and the economic viability of egg production. Farmers are struggling with rising costs, including feed and biosecurity measures, while dealing with the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks. These challenges could have lasting effects on the agricultural sector.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. is facing an egg crisis due to the rapid spread of avian flu, which has led to the culling of millions of chickens and a dramatic rise in egg prices.

• In January 2025, egg prices surged by 15.2% from the previous month, with some stores charging up to $10 for a dozen eggs.

• The U.S. government has allocated $1 billion to combat the avian flu and stabilize egg prices, but the crisis is ongoing.

• Turkey has capitalized on the U.S. egg shortage and resumed exports to the country, providing a much-needed supply boost.

• The USDA predicts that egg prices will continue to rise, with a 20% increase expected by the end of 2025.

The U.S. egg crisis has highlighted the vulnerabilities in the global food supply chain, particularly in times of disease outbreaks. As the country battles avian flu and its economic repercussions, the international community, including countries like Turkey, will play a crucial role in stabilizing the market. However, for U.S. consumers, it remains unclear when prices will return to normal, or if the crisis will have lasting effects on the nation’s egg supply.

References:

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/26/usda-invests-1-billion-combat-avian-flu-and-reduce-egg-prices

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections?utm

https://www.ajot.com/news/turkey-to-export-15000-tonnes-of-eggs-to-us-amid-bird-flu-disruptions

https://www.forbes.com.tr/makale/abd-nin-1-milyar-dolarlik-yumurta-krizi-plani

https://feedplanetmagazine.com/tr/blog/turkiye-kus-gribiyle-mucadele-eden-abdye-yumurta-ihracatina-basladi-4512

https://tr.euronews.com/business/2025/02/20/turkiye-neden-abdli-alicilara-binlerce-ton-yumurta-gonderiyor

https://turkish.cri.cn/2025/02/20/ARTI1740056425186129

https://www.bloomberght.com/abd-nin-yumurta-krizi-turkiye-nin-firsati-oldu-3742103