South Korea imports eggs to stabilise prices after HPAI shortfall Government backs additional 210 million eggs for July and August23 July 2026 23 July 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North America AsiaSouth Korea's government has stepped up egg imports to stabilise domestic supplies and curb rising prices following an HPAI-driven shortfall in laying hen numbers, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Average retail prices for a tray of 30 extra-large eggs rose 5.3% year on year in the first half of 2026 to 7,079 Korean won ($4.80). The government responded with consumer coupon subsidies and authorised imports of approximately 31.4 million eggs from the United States, Thailand and Brazil by early July, backed by 21.5 billion won ($14.5 million) in government support for transportation and repackaging costs. Around 16.5 million eggs were successfully imported in the first half of the year, sourced from the US and Thailand. The response mirrors a similar government intervention during the 2021 egg price crisis, also triggered by HPAI, when South Korea imported approximately 380 million eggs, the majority from the US.