South Korea expands egg imports as prices climb after bird flu losses
Supply shortages linked to culling of more than 11 million laying hens during HPAI outbreak
SOUTH KOREA – South Korea has authorised the importation of another 4.48 million eggs from the United States and Thailand over the next two months as domestic prices continue rising amid supply shortages caused by avian influenza outbreaks.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said 2.24 million eggs from the US are scheduled to arrive by 19 May, while a further 1.12 million from Thailand are expected by 27 May, with another 1.12 million eggs to be purchased in June from the country offering the lower price.
The latest imports add to the 5.64 million fresh eggs already brought into the country since January as authorities attempt to contain price increases that have pushed retail costs close to US$5.30 per tray of 30 eggs.
Data from the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation showed that a tray of extra large eggs sold for US$5.33 on 13 May, compared with last year’s average of US$5.12, representing a 4.1% increase.
Although prices briefly eased to about US$5.03 during the third week of April, the market resumed its upward movement as supply conditions remained tight.
Production losses weigh on market
The pressure on supply follows the culling of 11.34 million laying hens during the 2025 to 2026 highly pathogenic avian influenza season, marking the largest reduction since the 2020 to 2021 outbreak period when 16.96 million birds were destroyed.
Industry forecasts suggest the market will remain strained for several more months because replacement hens require roughly six months before reaching egg laying age.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute projected in March that national egg production in May and June would decline by around 3% compared with the same period last year due to the reduced flock numbers.
At the same time, producers are facing higher operating costs linked to fuel and feed prices, adding further upward pressure on consumer prices.
Government figures showed kerosene used for heating poultry farms reached about US$1.02 per litre during the first week of May, roughly 25% higher than the average recorded a year earlier.
Compound poultry feed prices also increased to approximately US$0.41 per kilogram from US$0.39 in November 2024, reflecting rising energy and raw material costs associated with tensions in the Middle East.
Separately, the Korea Fair Trade Commission announced on 14 May that it had launched an investigation into suspected price fixing involving the Laying Hen Association, with the agriculture ministry stating that the findings could influence possible penalties against the organisation.
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