Turkey's egg exports jump as Poland's avian flu hits EU supply

Turkey exported 92,494 tonnes of eggs between January and May, earning about $240.8 million. While Iraq remained the top market with $47.6 million in sales, European demand surged. Exports to Italy rose from $2.2 million to $24.8 million, with quantities increasing from 1.2 kt to 13.2 kt. Poland, previously a major egg producer, saw its imports from Turkey climb from $0.1 million to $19.7 million as avian‑flu outbreaks forced the culling of over four million birds.

Industry officials linked the shift to Turkey’s strong bio‑security regime. “Poland’s chicken egg production is at the top of Europe, but the avian‑flu episodes forced them to cull more than four million animals, disrupting supply,” said İzmir Egg Producers’ Union president Neriman Dere Çatmadaş. She added that Turkish producers’ quality and strict veterinary controls made the country a reliable alternative for European buyers.