South Korea Imports 2.24 Million U.S. Eggs to Counter Bird‑Flu Supply Shock
Updated (2 articles)
Government Announces Large‑Scale Egg Import From United States The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs declared that South Korea will import 2.24 million fresh eggs from the United States this month, marking the first U.S. egg purchase since January 2024. Officials framed the move as a short‑term market‑stabilizing intervention to blunt price pressure caused by recent avian influenza outbreaks. The import is intended to supplement domestic supply while authorities continue monitoring the situation [1].
Korea Agro‑Fisheries & Food Trade Corp Handles Purchase and Distribution The state‑linked Korea Agro‑Fisheries & Food Trade Corp will buy the imported eggs and distribute them to supermarkets and food‑ingredient suppliers nationwide. This coordinated channel aims to deliver the product quickly to both retail and commercial food sectors. The ministry highlighted the corporation’s central role in ensuring the imports reach consumers efficiently [1].
Bird‑Flu Outbreak Triggers Production Concerns and Hen Culls Over the winter, more than 30 poultry farms reported highly contagious avian influenza, leading to the culling of over 4.32 million laying hens. Daily egg production fell 1.1 % to 49 million eggs, despite a 1.2 % year‑on‑year increase in the total number of laying hens by the end of 2025. These disruptions raised supply‑risk concerns that prompted the import decision [1].
Officials Emphasize Overall Egg Supply Remains Stable The ministry asserted that the national egg supply remains stable, citing modest herd growth and only a slight dip in daily output. The U.S. egg purchase is presented as a precautionary measure rather than an emergency response to an acute shortage. Authorities continue to monitor production trends while the imported eggs help stabilize market prices [1].
Timeline
Jan 2024 – South Korea last purchased U.S.‑produced fresh eggs, a rare import that had not been repeated for two years until early 2026, establishing a benchmark for the scale of the upcoming market‑stabilizing intervention. [1]
Dec 25, 2025 – Retail egg prices surge past 7,000 won per 30‑egg carton, a 7.3 % year‑on‑year rise for September that outpaces the 5.3 % increase in overall livestock products, highlighting growing consumer pressure as avian influenza spreads. [2]
Dec 25, 2025 – Three new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases bring the season total to 21, while winter‑season outbreaks at egg‑laying farms reach 11 (nearly double the previous year); the agriculture ministry reports about 3 million hens culled, cutting national egg output by roughly 3‑4 %. [2]
Jan 7, 2026 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announces a short‑term import of 2.24 million fresh U.S. eggs, to be bought and distributed by the Korea Agro‑Fisheries & Food Trade Corp, aiming to blunt price spikes caused by recent HPAI outbreaks. [1]
Jan 2026 – Officials note that more than 4.32 million laying hens have been culled and over 30 poultry farms have confirmed HPAI infections this winter, yet the national egg supply remains stable, with the laying‑hen population up 1.2 % YoY and daily production only 1.1 % lower at 49 million eggs, framing the import as a precautionary price‑stabilizing measure rather than an emergency response. [1]