Eggflation Pressures the Table... Will U.S. Fresh Eggs Be the Solution?

Egg Prices Soar Amid Widespread Avian Influenza
2.24 Million U.S. Eggs Imported Ahead of Lunar New Year
Questions Remain Over Price Stability and Long-Term Impact

With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching next month, egg prices have shown little sign of stabilizing, prompting the government to turn to imports. As the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) continues to disrupt domestic production, there are signs that egg price increases may persist for the long term. In response, the government has decided to import fresh eggs from the United States to help stabilize the market. However, questions remain as to whether this measure will serve as a true 'solution' to ease inflationary pressures or whether it will simply be another short-term fix.

According to industry sources on January 27, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety conducted inspections the previous day on the quarantine, washing, grading, and packaging processes for pilot-imported fresh eggs from the United States.

Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture had decided to import 2.24 million fresh eggs from the United States to prepare for supply instability caused by the spread of AI. The first shipment of 1.12 million eggs arrived in South Korea via Incheon International Airport on January 23, and the remaining 1.12 million eggs are scheduled to be brought in by the end of the month.

The initial batch of 1.12 million eggs consists of white, A-grade, large eggs (weighing at least 56.7g) certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Imported eggs are labeled with a five-digit code (laying date + farming environment) and do not include a unique farm number, whereas domestic eggs are marked on the shell with a ten-digit code (laying date + unique farm number + farming environment), making them distinguishable.

The government plans to supply these eggs, mainly through major retailers and food material suppliers, before the Lunar New Year holiday. Among retailers, Homeplus will be the first to begin sales. Starting January 31, Homeplus will sell 45,000 cartons (30 eggs per carton) of U.S. white fresh eggs at 5,990 won per carton at major stores nationwide (excluding the Seogwipo branch) and Homeplus Express locations. This is about 20% lower than the recent price of domestic premium eggs, which has been hovering around 7,000 won per carton.

Egg prices have shown little sign of easing. According to the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation, as of the previous day, the retail price for a carton of 30 premium eggs was 7,184 won, up 11.8% from the previous year (6,426 won). Compared to the average year, prices have risen by 10.7%. Farm-gate prices have also increased, with mid-January prices (5,220 won) up 6.7% from the previous year.

The sharp rise in egg prices is not only impacting consumer-perceived inflation but is also spreading cost pressures throughout the broader industry. Eggs are a key raw material for the baking, restaurant, and catering industries. When egg prices rise, it is likely to lead to higher prices for foods such as gimbap, naengmyeon, and other snacks, as well as bread and confectionery. Concerns are growing that 'eggflation' could act as a 'domino factor,' triggering increases in other food prices.

Egg prices have risen by 11.5% compared to the previous year, with the average price of a carton exceeding 7,000 won, causing a surge in 'meal table prices.' The photo shows the egg display at a large supermarket in Seoul on the 10th. 2025.06.10. Photo by Reporter

However, it remains uncertain whether expanding imports will provide a structural solution. The government has repeatedly used egg imports to curb price spikes whenever highly pathogenic AI outbreaks have occurred. In 2021, eggs were imported from the United States, and in 2023, from Spain. While these measures had a short-term stabilizing effect on prices, they repeatedly exposed fundamental issues related to production infrastructure and disease control systems.

Experts point out that importing fresh eggs from the United States may help alleviate price instability ahead of the Lunar New Year, but it is clearly limited in fundamentally resolving eggflation. Since it takes time to restore the number of laying hens, imported eggs serve more as a supplementary measure to fill temporary gaps. Considering the recurring outbreaks of AI and subsequent price surges, there is a high likelihood that similar responses will be repeated unless mid- to long-term supply management and stronger disease control systems are implemented.

An industry insider commented, "The key issue will be after the holiday. If egg price volatility continues even after the holiday, calls for structural solutions beyond the short-term fix of imports will inevitably grow louder."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.