Türkiye imposes additional tariffs on egg exports amid rising US demand

Türkiye’s Trade Ministry introduced new measures to prevent supply-demand imbalances and price fluctuations in the domestic egg market amid surging demand from the U.S. and Europe.

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, a tariff of 50 cents per kilogram (2.20 pounds) will be applied to table egg exports.

The recent avian flu outbreak in the U.S. has significantly disrupted the country’s egg supply. In January, egg prices rose by 15.2% month-on-month, marking the sharpest increase since June 2015. On an annual basis, prices surged by 53%.

Following these developments, the U.S. ramped up egg imports. As part of this trend, Türkiye is set to export 15,000 tons of eggs to the U.S. by June.

Türkiye first began exporting eggs to the U.S. in 2022 amid supply shortages. That year, egg exports to the U.S. were valued at $5.01 million. In 2023, exports dropped to $2.98 million but rebounded to $6.17 million last year. Over the past five years, the U.S. has imported a total of $407.5 million worth of eggs.

‘A measure to prevent unjustified price hikes’

Ibrahim Afyon, president of the Egg Producers Central Union, told Anadolu Agency that the export restrictions aim to prevent unnecessary price increases in the domestic market.

“Our priority is supplying the domestic market. We maintain separate production lines for domestic sales and exports,” he said.

Afyon noted that production had temporarily declined due to the avian flu outbreak late last year but quickly recovered.

He also dismissed speculation of an impending price hike ahead of Ramadan, stating, “There is currently no reason for prices to increase. We do not expect price hikes during Ramadan either. Exports will not disrupt the domestic market, and prices will remain stable.”