New Delhi: In a significant setback for global poultry trade, Saudi Arabia has imposed a blanket ban on imports of eggs and chicken from India and 39 other countries, citing health and food safety concerns.
The move, announced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), aims to safeguard public health and bolster local market standards amid rising risks from avian influenza and other animal diseases.
India, which ranks second in global egg production and fourth in meat output, primarily exports eggs to Saudi Arabia, though volumes remain minimal. According to industry estimates, only 40-50 containers — each carrying 4-4.5 lakh eggs — were shipped last year, mostly from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu. Poultry experts note that this ban follows similar restrictions by Qatar in November 2024, where noncompliant egg shipments face rejection.
The SFDA’s list includes nations like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Ivory Coast, and Montenegro. Some bans date back to 2004, with others added based on international risk assessments. Additionally, partial restrictions apply to specific regions in 16 other countries.
The SFDA emphasised that the list will undergo periodic reviews in response to global health developments, underscoring its commitment to monitoring epidemiological threats.
Suresh R Chitturi, President of the International Egg Council and Managing Director of Srinivasa Hatchery Group, downplayed the impact on India. Speaking to Kisan Tak, he said, “Saudi Arabia’s ban won’t affect Indian poultry much, as it buys very few eggs from us— barely 40-50 containers last year.”
Despite the low volumes, the decision highlights growing international scrutiny on poultry exports, potentially prompting Indian exporters to enhance biosecurity measures.