A roundtable meeting convened by the Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on “Export of Indian Poultry Products: Challenges and Strategies to Strengthen the Poultry Ecosystem.” The strategic gathering included representatives from leading companies, state governments, and industry associations. A press release on the meeting was issued on December 23, 2023.
The meeting, underscored the vital role played by the Indian poultry sector in meeting protein and nutritional needs. While the production of crops has been growing at a rate of 1.5 to 2 percent per annum, the production of eggs and broilers has seen a remarkable increase at 8 to 10 percent per annum. Over the past two decades, India has emerged as a major global producer of eggs and broiler meat, evolving the poultry industry into a mega-industry.
The Secretary informed attendees that the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has taken various initiatives to boost poultry exports. A self-declaration of freedom from High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been submitted, and 33 poultry compartments have been recognized as free from Avian Influenza to promote exports. On October 13, 2023, this self-declaration received approval from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Additionally, the Department has taken steps to address feed shortages and counter misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Secretary strongly emphasized the need to promote poultry exports, strengthen the Indian poultry sector, improve the ease of doing business, address challenges in poultry product exports, and integrate units in the informal sector. She shared insights into the Department’s proactive approach to mitigate risks associated with HPAI by adopting the concept of poultry compartmentalization to facilitate international trade.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, India achieved export of 664,753.46 metric tons of poultry products worth Rs. 1,081.62 crores (134.04 Million USD) to over 57 countries. A recent market intelligence study revealed that the Indian poultry market reached a valuation of USD 30.46 billion in 2023 with a CAGR of 8.1% from 2024-2032.
The roundtable meeting served as a dynamic platform for collaborative efforts, facilitating discussions on various issues related to poultry exports. Industry representatives and exporters engaged in exchanges, contributing to the formulation of strategies for the sustainable growth of the Indian poultry sector.
