Oman has stopped issuing new import permits for Indian table eggs, severely affecting Namakkal’s poultry industry in Tamil Nadu. This follows Qatar’s recent restrictions on egg weight, which has already caused a major shipment of Indian eggs to be stranded.
The Impact on Exports
Oman was once responsible for half of India’s egg exports, but since June, exports to the country have drastically reduced. A large shipment of eggs, worth at least Rs 15 crore, is currently stuck due to the restrictions, according to PV Senthil, an egg exporter from Namakkal.
Calls for Diplomatic Action
DMK MP KRN Rajeshkumar raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Indian government to hold talks with Omani and Qatari officials to resume imports. He has also requested meetings with the ambassadors of both countries to discuss the challenges faced by egg exporters.
Continued Struggles for Exporters
The export business has suffered greatly since June when Oman stopped issuing permits for Indian eggs. Although Oman briefly resumed imports in September, it was with limited permits. The halt of new permits in November has again crippled the trade.
Declining Export Numbers
Data from the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) shows a significant drop in exports. At the beginning of the year, India exported 11.4 crore eggs to countries like Oman, Qatar, and the Maldives, with Oman taking 50% of that total. However, by June, exports to Oman had fallen to just 2.6 crore, and since then, the numbers have continued to drop.
