As the ongoing bird influenza continues to devastate the nation’s egg production, Turkey plans to export eggs into the U.S. through July in a preliminary agreement reached between the two nations.

Deaths of millions of laying hens are causing grocery stores to ration supplies and restaurants to raise prices for egg dishes.

Turkey has begun exporting around 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the United States, where an ongoing outbreak of bird flu disrupted supply, sent prices soaring and led to talks with other producers, Reuters reported, citing a leading sector official on Wednesday.

The price of eggs at U.S. grocery stores has climbed to a record high, nearly doubling from a year ago, as outbreaks of bird flu have led to shortages by wiping out millions of hens.

A preliminary agreement between the two countries means 15,000 tonnes of eggs will be sent to the US by July. View on euronews

ISTANBUL/CHICAGO >> Turkey has begun exporting around 15,000 tonnes (33 million pounds) of eggs to the United States as a devastating outbreak of bird flu is slashing U.S. production and sending prices soaring,