June 8, 2026
 

South Korea to import Brazilian eggs as HPAI-driven price surge persists

Egg prices remain 16% above year-earlier levels despite ongoing imports, prompting Seoul to broaden its sourcing base and extend consumer discount support.

South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has announced plans to import an additional 20 million eggs, adding Brazil as a new source country alongside the United States and Thailand, as domestic prices continue to climb in the aftermath of last winter's highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak.

As of 3 June, a tray of 30 eggs was priced at 7,472 won, up 9.3% over three months and approximately 16% above levels seen in January last year. The ministry said that import volumes to date, 5.62 million eggs from the US and 3.37 million from Thailand, totalling 8.99 million, have been insufficient to offset the supply shortfall left by the HPAI outbreak.

Brazil's inclusion marks the first time the country has been used as an egg import source for South Korea, and reflects a deliberate move to diversify procurement beyond existing suppliers.

To support consumers, the government will extend through 1 July a subsidy that reduces the shelf price of eggs by 1,500 won per tray. Major retailers including Emart and Lotte Mart have imposed a one-tray purchase limit on discounted stock.

Despite the price pressure, the ministry projected that domestic production would recover to last year's levels by July. The outlook is based on a 14.4% year-on-year increase in chick placements between January and April, driven by the import of 17 million hatching eggs.

The government is also expanding tariff quota volumes for chicken and pork to increase the supply of imported livestock products available to the market.

- Yonhap News / Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs