Trade Minister Budi Santoso responded to the plan to export 1.6 million eggs to the United States (US) previously conveyed by Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman. He emphasized that exports are not a problem as long as domestic needs are met. Budi explained that the stock of eggs in Indonesia is currently still abundant, so if national needs are met, exports are actually a good step to maintain market balance. Budi could not yet confirm when the exports would be realized. He stated that the government will continue to monitor the availability of domestic supplies before making further decisions.
Previously, Minister of Agriculture Amran opened up the opportunity to export chicken eggs to the US in line with demand from the country due to limited domestic supply. Amran said at the Parliament Complex Central Jakarta, that Indonesia is currently experiencing a surplus in food production, including chicken and eggs, so that exports are possible. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono ensured that Indonesia has sufficient egg stock to meet export demand to the US. Based on the commodity balance, according to him, the government is ready to send 1.6 million eggs every month. Export demand from the US arose due to the egg crisis that is currently hitting Uncle Sam's country. The highly contagious bird flu outbreak has destroyed the egg supply in the US. In the last two months of 2024 alone, 17.2 million laying hens died from the virus, nearly half the total birds culled for the year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The situation has caused a sharp decline in egg production, leaving supermarket shelves empty in many parts of the U.S. and prices soaring.
