There is good scope for large-scale exports of eggs from Namakkal region in Tamil Nadu and for processed chicken meat from Coimbatore region if the units are provided sufficient infrastructure facilities for processing and testing. They also seek some fiscal concessions, at least for a limited period, to establish themselves in the export markets. About 50 million eggs are exported every month from Namakkal. Suguana Poultry Farm has set up a joint venture company, Suguna Supreme, near Coimbatore for processing and exporting chicken meat to the Gulf countries.
Nearly 95 per cent of the chicken meat exports from the country is from this region. These poultry units feel that the Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) should intervene and encourage the setting up of the necessary infrastructure for exports.
One of the major deficiencies is the absence of egg processing units. There are urgent need for establishing egg cleaning and packing units that can act as service providers. It is suggested that Apeda could fund such units in the private sector instead of expecting them to come-up in the co-operative sector, they say. The area also needs feed testing and disease testing laboratories to ensure quality of eggs for exports. According to Dr D Chandrasekaran, head, Animal Feed Analytical and Quality Control Laboratory, Veterinary College Research Institute, Namakkal, “Now there is only one lab under the Veterinary University. There is need for more labs to test the large number of samples to facilitate exports on schedule.” There is also an urgent need for the setting up of cold storages and rural godowns for supporting the export of eggs and meat.
Poultry units in Coimbatore region have started exporting processed chicken meat. Exporters say that meat export is not included in the list for freight subsidy available for eggs. It is an anomaly to be corrected. Exporters say that, since they are operating on very thin margins, because of the competition from other countries that have several direct and indirect subsidies, government support and fiscal concessions were essential to establish markets.
Another major demand is to declare Namakkal and Coimbatore districts as Export Processing Zones for egg and chicken meat, respectively. This will help the efforts of the present exporters to increase their activity and bring in a more organised growth into the industry. Banking sources said export processing zone would enable them to lend to the units at very low rates
