Namakkal, Tamil Nadu’s famed Egg Capital, has achieved a historic milestone by exporting one crore eggs to the United States for the first time — a breakthrough moment rewriting India’s agricultural export narrative.
Producing nearly six crore eggs daily, Namakkal exports around 50 lakh eggs every day to international markets such as the UAE, Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, and several African nations. Monthly exports touch an impressive 15 crore eggs, cementing its place as India’s top egg export hub.
Jahan R, secretary of the Egg and Poultry Products Exporters Association, explained that eggs are shipped in refrigerated containers, each carrying 4.7 lakh eggs worth nearly ₹30 lakh ($35,000). While Andhra Pradesh tops in total egg production, Namakkal dominates exports due to shorter transit times — just four days to the Middle East compared to 14 from Andhra.
Vangili Subramaniam, president of the Tamil Nadu Egg Poultry Farmers Marketing Society, attributed the region’s global growth to its decentralised farming model, which has kept bird flu at bay even as global competitors like Turkey and the US faced outbreaks. Only about 10% of Namakkal’s 1,300 farms currently export, suggesting immense untapped potential.
He stressed that restoring the central government’s 7% transport assistance subsidy, slashed to 1% post-2014, would boost competitiveness. He also called for permanent trade pacts with countries dependent on egg imports.
However, exporters face hurdles. Certification demands, costly infrastructure for biosecurity standards, and new grading norms (like Qatar’s minimum 60g egg rule) remain challenges — as Namakkal eggs typically weigh 55g.
Still, the US breakthrough offers fresh hope for expansion.