ISTANBUL/CHICAGO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Turkey has begun

exporting around 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the United States as a

devastating outbreak of bird flu is slashing U.S. production and

sending prices soaring, a leading sector official said on

Wednesday.

Deaths of millions of laying hens imperil U.S. President

Donald Trump's pledge to bring down everyday costs, as grocery

stores ration supplies and restaurants raise prices for egg

dishes.

Shipments to the U.S. from Turkey began this month and will

continue until July, said Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg

Producers Central Union in Turkey.

"The export will take place through our member companies

with the required authorizations, while two firms will

coordinate the process," Afyon said.

"A total of 15,000 tonnes of eggs - equivalent to 700

containers - will be shipped," he added.

The U.S. has been working to contain bird flu, which was

first detected in dairy cattle in Texas last March and has since

spread to more than 970 herds in 17 states. The virus has

infected nearly 70 people since April, primarily farm workers

exposed to infected poultry or cattle. One person who was

infected died.

The outbreak in poultry began in 2022 and has wiped out

about 162 million chickens, turkeys and other birds, according

to U.S. data. A surge in recent infections is fuelling egg

shortages.

"We support the temporary import of egg products to help

ease the strain on the U.S. egg supply," said Chad Gregory, CEO

of United Egg Producers, a cooperative that represents U.S. egg

farmers.

Faced with supply constraints, U.S. companies have sought

alternative import markets, leading to negotiations with Turkish

producers, Afyon said. The deal is expected to generate around

$26 million in export revenue, he added.

Turkey ranks among the world's top 10 egg exporters, Afyon

said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had no comment on

imports.

The agency is rebuilding a stockpile of bird flu vaccines

for poultry and granted a conditional license to animal health

company Zoetis ( ZTS ) for a vaccine for chickens. USDA has not

yet authorized the use of vaccines.