How Cochin became an export hub of eggs?

ATM News Network: Exports of hatching eggs from Kerala have increased significantly in recent months as demand for Indian eggs in West Asia and Malaysia has increased due to global influences.

Cochin International Airport, one of the four international airports, serves a large number of cargo flights to various countries, especially to West Asian cities and some Far Eastern countries. Export data from Cochin International Airport shows that India's egg exports have increased significantly in recent months.

In November, about 2,016 tonnes of eggs were exported from Cochin airport, up from 2,372 tonnes in October 2022. In December 2022, exports increased to 10,649 tonnes and in February 2023, to 11,742 tonnes.

According to TS Pramod, secretary of the Poultry Breeders and Traders Association, the export market for Indian eggs has increased due to the World Cup in Qatar. Qatar has imported large stocks of eggs from India. Namakkal in Tamil Nadu in particular is considered to be the hatchery centre of the country's poultry sector.

Malaysia has also emerged as one of the major markets for Indian eggs, seeing India's performance in meeting the demand for eggs during the FIFA World Cup. Although Malaysia is the world's largest egg exporter, its domestic production in 2023 was hit hard by the rise in chicken feed prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and several other factors, added Pramod.

Maize and soybeans, the main ingredients in chicken feed, are imported from Ukraine. Although global cues and geo-political conditions have boosted the demand for Indian eggs, Kerala does not have a huge export market advantage. Because commercial egg production is almost nil in Kerala.

Kerala is still dependent on Tamil Nadu for about 12 million eggs per day from Namakkal. Convenience of transport to major places in the state attracts exporters to transport cargo from Kerala. Which is an added advantage for export traders in the state, said Munsheed Ali, secretary of the Kerala Export Forum.

:) Update yourself with the latest agri business news in English and Marathi with Agri Trade Media. Subscribe Agri Trade Media on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more agri B2B news.