SupplyChainBrain reports; analyst insight; as avian flu continues to spread through American chicken farms; the US is planning to import 420 million eggs from Türkiye to fill supply gaps. According to CNN reports; the US expects to receive approximately 240 million eggs from Türkiye by July — with the remainder due to arrive by year-end — totaling 37 million dollars in value. This marks a substantial increase from 2024; when Türkiye — the world's fifth-largest egg exporter — exported 71 million eggs to the US. Türkiye is the only country from which the US imports this refrigerated staple — while according to the American Egg Board; the US produces more than 7.5 billion eggs annually. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the average retail price of a dozen eggs reached a record 8.05 dollars in February 2025.
From a supply chain perspective; the main egg producers and exporters in Türkiye are the Central Union of Egg Producers (YUM-BİR; Ibrahim Afyon Chairman; Ankara); the Türkiye Egg Producers Association; and key Türkiye sector organizations. Türkiye is among the leading global egg producers; with annual production of approximately 20 billion eggs. The main Türkiye egg exporters include Lezita (Akdeniz Holding); Pak Chicken; Banvit (Banvit BRF Food; owned by BRF); Beypiliç; CP Bestpiliç; Şenpiliç; Erpiliç; Has Chicken; and are among the key Türkiye poultry players — though for eggs; the regions of Karaman; Konya; Afyon; and Manisa are the main production centers. The Laying Hen Union is a key sector organization. Türkiye holds a relatively resilient position against HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) H5N1 outbreaks — with high biosecurity standards serving as a major advantage. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Ibrahim Yumaklı Minister) is the primary Türkiye agricultural authority.
From a supply chain perspective; the main egg producers and sector players in the US include Cal-Maine Foods (Sherman Miller CEO; based in Ridgeland Mississippi; US market share ~20%); Rose Acre Farms (Marcus Rust); Versova (formerly Centrum Valley); Hillandale Farms; Daybreak Foods; Michael Foods (Post Holdings); Vital Farms (Russell Diez-Canseco CEO; Austin Texas; pasture-raised premium); Pete and Gerry's Organic; Eggland's Best (Land O'Lakes); Happy Egg Co.; Nellie's Free Range; and NestFresh; among the key US egg players. The main federal authorities in the US include the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS; managing HPAI surveillance and eradication); the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS); the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM); and the CDC. The American Egg Board (Emily Metz President) and United Egg Producers (UEP; Chad Gregory CEO) are the key US egg sector organizations.
From a supply chain perspective; the 2022-2025 US HPAI crisis — resulting in the loss of 168 million-plus poultry population due to H5N1 avian influenza — represents the largest US animal health crisis in history. In addressing egg supplies to the US; alternative countries include Türkiye; Brazil; South Korea; Poland; Lithuania; and India; serving as key potential export sources. The leading global egg exporters (by ranking) are: (1) Netherlands; (2) Poland; (3) Türkiye; (4) Germany; (5) Spain; (6) Belgium; (7) Malaysia; (8) Brazil; (9) US; (10) China. The FAO; USDA Foreign Agricultural Service; and the International Egg Commission (IEC; UK) are key global egg data sources. Egg retail distribution in the US is dominated by Walmart; Kroger; Costco; Albertsons; Target; Whole Foods (Amazon); Trader Joe's; Aldi; H-E-B; and Publix. In conclusion; the US's egg imports from Türkiye reflect how trade dependencies are being fundamentally redesigned in response to global food security and HPAI crisis — with biosecurity standards and HPAI resilience emerging as key strategic priorities for supply chain managers.
Key Points:
1. US is planning to import 420 million eggs from Türkiye — valued at 37 million dollars.
2. Türkiye is the world's fifth-largest egg exporter.
3. The HPAI crisis has resulted in the loss of 168 million-plus poultry.
4. Cal-Maine and Rose Acre are leading US egg producers.
5. BLS reported a record price of 8.05 dollars per dozen eggs in February 2025.
