Last year, Turkey produced 21.2 billion chicken eggs, according to government data. In Mexico City, the price of eggs surpassed 55 pesos per kilo at various points of sale, and it is expected to continue rising in the coming days, according to experts.
In grocery stores and local markets, the price of second or third quality eggs ranges between 52 and 57 pesos per kilo, while first quality can reach up to 60 pesos. This increase is primarily due to the crisis in the poultry market in the United States, where avian influenza has led to the culling of millions of laying hens and significant shortages.
Juan Carlos Anaya, general director of the Agricultural Markets Consulting Group (GCMA), stated: "A rise in national prices has been observed, driven mainly by strong demand in the neighboring country, where avian influenza has caused the culling of more than 30 million laying hens, which represents approximately 10 percent of the national inventory."
Turkey plans to import between 70 and 100 million eggs in the coming months, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Turkish producers are expected to ship 15,000 tons of eggs to that country by July, although exports are likely to decline during Ramadan, according to Ibrahim Afyon, president of the Central Union of Egg Producers of Turkey.
In Turkey, cases of avian influenza have begun to be observed in the last quarter of 2024. In response to the outbreaks of avian influenza that have reduced supply in the global market, Turkey has introduced an export tax on eggs. Exporters will pay approximately 0.50 dollars per kilogram under the new measure, which aims to control internal prices and protect consumer welfare during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which begins on March 1.
The United States has been affected by the worst outbreak of avian influenza in its history, causing a crisis in the poultry market that has had global repercussions.
