Karnataka egg exports halt amid West Asia tensions; Poultry farmers seek govt support

Egg exports from Karnataka have come to a halt due to the ongoing tensions in West Asia, dealing a major setback to the state’s poultry industry and leaving farmers grappling with mounting losses.

According to representatives of the poultry sector, Karnataka had been exporting nearly 80 lakh to 1 crore eggs daily to overseas markets before the disruption. However, shipments have not resumed since the conflict escalated, severely affecting farmers who rely heavily on export demand.

Industry leaders say the timing has further aggravated the crisis. Local demand had already slowed during the Ramadan season and ahead of Easter, resulting in lower domestic consumption. With exports suspended, the surplus supply in the local market has led to a sharp drop in egg prices, putting additional pressure on producers.

At the same time, the cost of poultry feed has increased, significantly raising production expenses for farmers. The twin impact of falling egg prices and rising input costs has created a severe financial strain for poultry units across the state.

While the central government had earlier assured that arrangements would be made to restart egg exports, shipments have yet to resume, leaving farmers anxious about prolonged losses and the future of the sector.