19 Jun 2025
India’s Namakkal ships eggs to US for the first time
The 12 million eggs will be used for industrial purposes like liquids and in bakery applications.
For the first time, eggs from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu, India have been exported to the US.
Recently, 12 million eggs were exported in reefer containers through VO Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi. The eggs will be used for industrial purposes like liquids and in bakery applications.
Sources at VO Chidambaranar Port confirmed that 21 reefer containers with eggs were handled recently and are now heading to the US.
C Panneerselvam, Managing Director of Abi Egg Traders, which exported the eggs to the US, told local media that each container was loaded with 475,000 eggs. The shipment will take 30-40 days to reach the US East Coast.
“We have been working for this export to the US for a long time,” he said.
The next step will be to export table eggs to the US after complying with all regulatory requirements, he revealed.
Food safety and inspection
US’ Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) guidelines for importing meat, poultry and egg products into the US stipulate that all such shipments must be presented to FSIS for inspection.
The FSIS import inspection occurs after the products have met the requirements of US Customs and Border Protection and USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at the US Port of Entry. Only after passing these clearances, the product will be allowed entry to the designated place.
“The US approval is a massive endorsement of our production standards and disease-control protocols,” said Vangili Subramaniam, President of the Tamil Nadu Egg Poultry Farmers Marketing Society.
“Export opportunities like this help stabilize domestic prices, especially during times of surplus. Without a robust external market, farmers suffer due to price crashes. That’s why diversifying export destinations is critical.”
As a viable alternative
The timing coincides with widespread outbreaks of avian influenza in major egg-exporting countries, such as Brazil, Turkey, Canada, China, Belgium dan the UK, which have disrupted production.
“The US, which is traditionally reliant on North American and domestic suppliers, has turned to India to meet burgeoning demand. The US decision was influenced by a mix of demand pressure and limited supply from traditional exporters battling avian influenza outbreaks,” said M Balaji, Coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary Graduate Federation.
“India, particularly Namakkal, emerged as a viable alternative due to its relatively disease-free status and consistent production volumes.”
Abi Egg Traders
Established in 2009, Abi Egg Traders is one of India’s leading exporters of farm-fresh white table eggs specializing in exporting white commercial eggs to Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Malaysia, and the Maldives.
The company manages orders of up to two containers (1 million eggs) daily and produces 2,000 carton boxes for in-house use. It also supplies eggs for Tamil Nadu government’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
The company procures eggs from leased, Government of India-approved poultry compartments located in Kurumbapatti Village, Namakkal.
Namakkal: The egg capital of India
There are about 1,100 poultry farms in the Namakkal region. About 70 million laying birds are reared in these complexes and over 50 million eggs are laid every day. Nearly 7 million eggs are exported every day, reports said.
The eggs are exported to countries in the Middle East including the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, and several African countries.
Nearly 90% of the country’s egg exports happens from Namakkal. Exports to the US for the first is a breakthrough for the industry, said Mr Subramaniam.
