Imported eggs from US to be distributed later this week for price stabilization: ministry

Fresh eggs are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul, Jan. 7. Yonhap

The government will begin distributing fresh eggs imported from the United States later this week as part of efforts to stabilize domestic egg prices, which have increased due to the recent spread of avian influenza (AI), the agriculture ministry said Monday.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs decided to purchase 2.24 million eggs from the U.S. to cope with the rise in egg prices stemming from the spread of highly pathogenic bird flu this cold season.

The first batch of imports, consisting of 1.12 million eggs, arrived in the country last week, with the rest scheduled to be delivered by the end of this month, according to the ministry.

The ministry said it will start distributing the imported eggs on Friday after conducting necessary quarantine and food inspection procedures.

It marks the first time in two years Korea has purchased U.S.-produced eggs. Seoul last imported American eggs in January 2024.

Korea has confirmed 38 cases of highly contagious AI at poultry farms this winter as of Friday.