India has one of the world’s largest and fastest growing poultry industries, ranking third in hen egg production (FAOSTAT) and sixth in broiler meat production (USDA/FAS). Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 6.4 per cent annually during 2000-2008, making India the second fastest growing major economy in the world (after China). India is expected to overtake China as the world's most populous country in the coming decades. Middle-class households are the fastest growing segment of the population. About 20 per cent of the population is vegetarian but with increased incomes and urbanisation, people prefer to go for non-vegetarian diets.

According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, about 70 per cent of poultry is in the organised sector and 30 per cent is in the unorganised sector. Around 60 to 70 per cent of the broiler industry is located in the southern states; much of the egg¥ industry is also in the southern states. Large integrated operations incorporate all aspects of production: raising grandparent and parent stock, contracting production, compounding feed and wholesaling. Integration has resulted in lower average costs of production and lower retail prices for poultry meat.

Broiler production grew at an annual percentage growth rate of 8.35 per cent from 2001 (1.25 million metric tons) to 2010 (2.65 million metric tons). Production is projected to grow two per cent in 2011 compared to the previous year. Per-capita consumption has grown from 1.22kg in 2001 to 2.26kg in 2010, an increase of 185 per cent.

In 2010/2011 (March 2010 to February 2011) India's egg production is anticipated to reach 61.5 billion eggs, up 68 per cent from 36.6 billion in 2000/2001. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the top egg-producing states; West Bengal is the top duck egg-producing state.

India's poultry exports are mainly shell eggs and egg products. Exports of poultry meat are limited by high production costs, inadequate meat processing facilities and intermittent outbreaks of avian influenza. According to FAOSTAT data, since 2005, India has mostly exported dried eggs. In 2008, India's top three markets for dried eggs were Germany, Denmark and Indonesia. Angola was the top market for liquid eggs.
Source: Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, New Delhi; India Ministry of Food Processing Industries; USDA Economic Research Service; USDA FAS GAIN Reports; news wires

Further Reading

-

You can view the full report by clicking here.