The Rs 400 billion (US$7.75 billion) egg industry in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has seen its exports go up with the lifting of an import ban from Oman, a boost to India's industry as it struggles with high production costs and lowered demand during a seasonal slow period, according to reports.
The Oman ban was imposed the last week of March due to bird flu concerns; Oman accounts for 33 percent of Tamil Nadu's egg exports. “We send two to three containers (of 472,000 eggs each) a day to Oman," said P. Selvaraj, zonal chairman of the National Egg Coordination Committee. "And we expect poultry products to be back on the menu of other Arab countries also soon. We are currently shipping eggs to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Algeria.”
According to Selvaraj, egg exporters face significant competition from Brazil with their large-sized, low-priced eggs. But, "we are hopeful of gaining a foothold in these markets," he said. “We expect exports to rise slowly and steadily. Afghanistan remains our top destination as of now."
