Include egg exports from India in proposed FTA with Oman: Livestock farmers

KOCHI: Livestock farmers have requested the Centre to include egg exports from India in the free trade bilateral agreement with Oman, which is expected during the visit of Prime Minister to Oman this month.

P V Senthil, general secretary of Livestock & Agri Farmers Trade Association, in a letter to Prime Minister’s office said India is meeting major quantity of Oman’s requirement of eggs. Oman imposed 5% duty on its imports from India few years ago.

As a result of this 5% duty, whenever the prices in India go up, exports fall drastically and Oman looks for alternative supply source like Saudi, Turkey, Ukraine and Brazil, he said.


The egg exports to Oman came down from 3.75 crore eggs worth Rs 18 crore every month to 2.10 crore eggs ( 8.2 crore) from November 2017. It dropped to zero almost for three weeks when prices were high in India. The removal of 5% duty would greatly help the growth of market and boost Indian exports, Senthil said.

The association also urged the government to include all agricultural products including fruits, vegetables and coconuts along with eggs in the free trade list.