India’s poultry industry has shown a remarkable recovery following the recent avian flu outbreak, demonstrating its resilience and importance in the country’s agricultural and food economy. Despite facing significant challenges due to the outbreak, including temporary disruptions in production, consumption, and trade, the industry has bounced back strongly, driven by rising demand for poultry meat and eggs, robust government intervention, and improved biosecurity measures adopted by producers.
The recovery has been fueled by increasing consumer confidence and awareness campaigns emphasizing the safety of consuming properly cooked poultry products. Government agencies, along with industry stakeholders, played a pivotal role in dispelling myths and addressing misinformation, ensuring that demand for poultry products rebounded quickly. Initiatives such as early detection protocols, stringent culling operations, and effective vaccination drives helped control the spread of the virus, preventing further damage to the sector.
Poultry producers have taken significant steps to adopt enhanced biosecurity measures, including improved hygiene practices, regular health monitoring of birds, and the implementation of controlled production environments. Additionally, investments in modern farming technologies and precision feeding systems have helped improve productivity, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality poultry products.
India’s growing urbanization, rising incomes, and changing dietary preferences have also contributed to the strong recovery, as poultry remains one of the most affordable and preferred sources of protein for Indian households. The layer (egg) and broiler (meat) segments have seen consistent growth, with egg consumption rising due to its nutritional benefits and affordability, while demand for chicken meat has increased due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness compared to other protein sources.
The industry’s recovery is further supported by export opportunities, as India has resumed shipments of poultry products to key markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Government policies, such as subsidies for poultry farmers, financial assistance for biosecurity infrastructure, and incentives for cold chain logistics, have provided much-needed support to the sector.Overall, India’s poultry industry is now better prepared to tackle future challenges, with a focus on biosecurity, modernization, and value chain efficiency. The sector’s strong comeback highlights its critical role in supporting food security, rural employment, and economic growth, positioning it for sustained expansion in the coming years.
