Egg shortages in stores and sky-high prices: The consequences of the bird flu epidemic have continued to worsen in the US at a time when public health agencies have been trying to cope with the Trump administration's purge of government departments. According to the Turkish press, quoting the local head of egg producers on February 15, the US will import eggs from Turkey to cope with the shortage. A preliminary agreement provides for 15,000 tons of eggs by June.

The epidemic that has been raging in the US since 2022 intensified this winter. Some 18 million birds were euthanized in December and 23 million in January, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Over a span of three years, bird flu has forced farms to cull 158 million turkeys, chickens and, above all, laying hens.

In supermarkets, signs warn consumers that rationing is in effect. "Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we kindly ask you to limit your purchase to one dozen eggs of any kind," reads the notice posted in the 600 Trader Joe's stores. Big box store chain Costco has limited purchases to three cartons of eggs.

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