On March 21, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the country is importing eggs from Turkey and South Korea to ease supply shortages caused by the avian influenza outbreak, which has driven prices up nationwide.
Chicken eggs are displayed for sale at a supermarket in El Monte, Los Angeles, California, USA.Photo: THX/VNA
Speaking to the press, Secretary Rollins stated that the U.S. has begun importing eggs from Turkey and South Korea and that the White House is currently negotiating with other countries for temporary egg imports. She noted that egg imports would cease once U.S. poultry farmers can increase supply.
Recently, egg prices in the U.S. have surged due to multiple outbreaks of avian influenza, forcing farmers to cull at least 30 million poultry, significantly restricting supply.
Egg prices also became a campaign issue for President Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election as he sought to leverage voter frustration over rising costs of essential goods during former President Joe Biden’s term.
After returning to office this past January, President Trump tasked Secretary Rollins with finding ways to boost egg supply and lower prices. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, wholesale egg prices in the country have dropped nearly 50% since late February.
Ngoc Ha (VNA)