Apeda considers special export zone for poultry
INDIA - Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) is considering setting up a first of its kind, Special Agricultural Export Processing Zone (SAEPZ) for poultry, at Namakkal in Tamil Nadu. As India is free from bird flu epidemic, several other Asian countries are showing interest in importing chicken meat and eggs from the country. In addition to the Middle East and African countries, the country has also started exporting eggs to Hong Kong from December this year.On the back of rising exports, the layer and broiler bird growers in south India have floated a separate forum, the All India Poultry Products Exporters Association (AIPPEA) headquartered at Namakkal, the town said to be poultry hub of India. In its first national meet of Poultry Products Exporters at Namakkal, the forum has presented a memorandum to Apeda chairman KM Money demanding to declare Namakkal region as SAEPZ.
According to AIPPEA secretary P Valsan, the Indian poultry sector is growing at the rate of 10 and 15% in layer and broiler segment respectively, but the country’s contribution in export market is less than 1%. Production cost for egg in India is less when compared to other nations. This is the right time to increase Indian poultry exports as other countries are leaning towards India for bird flu free stuff, he added.
Mr Valsan said that SAEPZ grade would facilitate Namakkal zone to get international standard cold storage, egg washing and grading facilities.
Source: The Financial Express