The recent decision by Oman to halt new import permits for Indian table eggs has dealt a significant blow to the poultry industry in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu — the hub of egg production in India. This development follows Qatar’s earlier imposition of weight restrictions on Indian egg imports, compounding the challenges faced by exporters.
KRN Rajeshkumar, a Member of Parliament (DMK), raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Central Government to intervene by holding discussions with officials from Oman and Qatar. “I have requested meetings with the ambassadors of Oman and Qatar in India to address the severe challenges confronting poultry farmers and egg exporters,” Rajesh kumar stated.
PV Senthil, an egg exporter from Namakkal and General Secretary of the Livestock and Agri-Farmers Trade Association (LIFT), revealed that shipments worth approximately ₹15 crore are currently stranded due to these restrictions. Containers of Indian eggs are held up at Oman’s Sohar port, with additional shipments still en route facing similar uncertainties.
Exporters from Namakkal, a region that plays a critical role in India’s egg export industry, report a drastic decline in business due to the restrictions imposed by both Oman and Qatar — two of India’s primary egg importers.
Namakkal’s troubles began in June 2024 when Oman first halted the issuance of new import permits. Despite Oman temporarily resuming imports in September under limited permits, a renewed restriction came into effect on December 17, further complicating the situation.
According to data from the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), India exported 11.4 crore eggs to various countries, including Oman, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, at the beginning of the year. Oman alone accounted for 50% of these exports. However, by June, total exports had plummeted to 2.6 crore eggs. NECC officials now report that the export figure has fallen below one crore since June.
These disruptions in the export market are severely affecting Tamil Nadu’s poultry sector, particularly for those Namakkal’s farmers and exporters who rely heavily on international demand to sustain their businesses. The industry is urging immediate diplomatic intervention to resolve the crisis and restore stable trade relations with key importing nations.
