To alleviate rising egg prices caused by avian flu, the United States is importing eggs from Turkey and South Korea. Brooke Rollins confirmed that negotiations with additional countries have commenced, targeting significant egg imports. The USDA reported a decline in wholesale prices, indicating potential relief for consumers as domestic production resumes.
The United States has commenced the importation of eggs from Turkey and South Korea to alleviate a supply shortage exacerbated by avian flu outbreaks, which have significantly increased prices nationwide. Brooke Rollins, a representative from the Department of Agriculture, indicated that these imports have already started, with discussions ongoing regarding sourcing eggs from additional countries. “We are talking in the hundreds of millions of eggs for the short term,” she stated.
The surging cost of eggs is primarily a result of bird flu outbreaks, leading to the culling of over 30 million birds and a drastic reduction in supply. Egg prices emerged as a focal issue during Donald Trump’s previous presidential campaign, as he aimed to address voters’ concerns over rising costs during President Joe Biden’s administration. Upon taking office again in January, Trump entrusted Rollins with the task of augmenting egg supply to stabilize prices.
In recent weeks, producers from various nations have reported inquiries from the United States regarding egg imports, indicating a robust interest in sourcing fresh eggs to meet domestic demand. Katarzyna Gawronska, director of Poland’s National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers, noted that while there is a global egg shortage, negotiations regarding financial terms between American importers and foreign suppliers remain critical.
The USDA recently reported that wholesale egg prices have seen a nearly 50% decline since late February, suggesting a potential decrease in consumer prices soon. This trend points to the success of the Department’s strategy in managing egg supply. Rollins assured the public that imports will cease once U.S. poultry farmers successfully restore their production capacity. She expressed optimism for returning to normal supply levels within a couple of months.
In summary, the United States is proactively importing eggs from Turkey and South Korea to address critical supply shortages driven by avian flu outbreaks. This initiative aims to stabilize soaring egg prices, which have become a prominent concern for consumers. The USDA’s recent findings indicate a notable decline in wholesale prices, suggesting that relief for consumers may be on the horizon as domestic production is restored shortly.
Original Source: www.sanfordherald.com
