India's egg trade takes a hit

India, the world's second largest producer of eggs, has seen approx. a 50% drop in exports over the past two weeks as bird flu damages confidence, say trade officials.

Among other countries that have banned egg imports are the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"We have suffered 150 mln rupees [€2.5 mln; US$3.8 mln] of losses on commercial egg exports alone for the last two weeks only," said Prasanna Pedgaonkar, deputy general manager of Venkateshwara Hatcheries, one of the country's largest poultry groups.

Pedgaonkar estimates that India's total export losses amount to about 750 mln rupees (€12.8 mln; US$19 mln).

So far, the avian influenza virus has spread to 13 of West Bengal's 19 districts.

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Editor WorldPoultry