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U.S. eggs imported by sea for first time

February 3, 2017

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) — South Korean shipping liner Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. said Friday that it has brought U.S. eggs into the country to help ease a supply shortage caused by an avian influenza outbreak.

A Hyundai Merchant ship carrying a total of 317,000 eggs that weigh 19 tons departed the U.S. city of Seattle on Jan. 21 and arrived at the southern port of Busan on Tuesday, the company said.

It marks the first time for imported eggs to enter the country via ship. Eggs have so far been flown into the country by chartered flights.

“More than 1.2 million eggs from the United States will additionally be shipped through Busan Port on Feb. 8 or Feb. 9,” said a Hyundai Merchant official.

U.S. eggs are usually white in color, while locally produced eggs are usually brown, making it easier for buyers to confirm the place of origin. South Korea’s daily egg output had been 42 million eggs on average but fell below the 30 million level since the bird flu outbreak.

A total of 317,000 eggs shipped by South Korean shipping liner Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. await their quarantine process on Feb. 3, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Merchant Marine Co.)

A total of 317,000 eggs shipped by South Korean shipping liner Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. await their quarantine process on Feb. 3, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Merchant Marine Co.)