Conflict disrupts India’s poultry trade with Middle East

Ricky Thaper

Yet the prolonged disruption has placed heavy pressure on farmgate egg prices. Namakkal, a hub that exported one million eggs daily to the Middle East, has been forced to suspend shipments due to blocked shipping routes.

Mounting losses for farmers

Exporters from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, now face significant challenges in reaching traditional markets.

With Middle Eastern routes closed, they are compelled to sell eggs in alternative destinations at steep discounts.

This redirection has triggered sharp declines in domestic egg prices, leaving layer poultry farmers with mounting financial losses.

The sudden imbalance between supply and demand has created instability across the sector, eroding margins and weakening confidence among producers.

Prospects for recovery

Industry leaders believe prices may recover once exports resume and demand stabilizes.

Until then, the layer poultry sector confronts one of its toughest challenges in recent years.

Poultry associations are actively engaging with governments to find solutions and address the emerging logistical and supply chain crisis.

Their efforts focus on reopening trade routes, securing alternative shipping channels, and ensuring that farmers can withstand the current downturn.

The resilience of the sector will depend on how quickly exports can restart and how effectively stakeholders collaborate to restore stability.