Namakkal ships one crore eggs to US in historic first export

CHENNAI: In a landmark moment for Tamil Nadu’s poultry industry, a massive consignment of one crore eggs from Namakkal district has been exported to the United States — marking the first time Indian eggs are entering the highly regulated American market.

The shipment, sent in 21 temperature-controlled containers from V O Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, was supplied by two Namakkal-based firms. Each container carried around 500,000 eggs, all meeting the US’s stringent food safety and quality regulations.

Namakkal, widely known as India’s egg capital, produces 5–6 crore eggs daily and has a strong track record of exporting to the Middle East, Africa, and Sri Lanka. The district notably supplied millions of eggs to Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

According to K Singaraj of the Tamil Nadu Poultry Farmers Association, the US accepting Namakkal’s eggs is a breakthrough. “This opens doors not just to the US but to other high-standard markets,” he said.

Producers had to meet rigorous criteria, including a minimum weight of 60g per egg, grade A/A+ quality, and certification confirming the absence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). US authorities reportedly turned to India due to recent HPAI outbreaks in other exporting nations such as Brazil, Turkey, and Canada.

The eggs must pass US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) checks, including documentation from India’s central authority and reinspection in approved US facilities.

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