A shipment of eggs weighing 100 tons arrived at Incheon International Airport Saturday morning from the U.S. while another batch will come later in the evening.

The combined three million eggs come after the first batch of 150 kilograms of U.S. eggs arrived Thursday as a sample to be evaluated by domestic buyers.

The eggs coming on Saturday will be distributed to the domestic market ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday period later this month. An additional 200 tons will arrive also on Monday and Wednesday.

The government has taken a number of measures to help with the egg shortage affected by the avian influenza outbreak including lifting tariffs and transport subsidies on egg imports.

As a result, it is expected to cost around nine-thousand-500 won, or about eight dollars, per tray of 30 eggs.

Meanwhile, the retail price of eggs fell for the first time in 37 days. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, a pack of 30 standard-sized eggs cost an average nine-thousand-491 won on Friday, down 52 won from Thursday. It was the first time the price declined since December seventh.