Back Japan opens door to Indian poultry products
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PATH FOR ORGANIC GROWTH: Mr K Srinivasa Gowda, Karnataka Agriculture Minister; Mr M V Rajashekharan, Union Minister of State for Planning; and Mr Domnique Dreyer, Ambassador of Switzerland at release of Organic Farming Policy document of Karnataka during the inauguration of India Organic 2005 Trade fair in Bangalore on Friday. - G.R.N. Somashekar
Bangalore , Nov. 4
EVEN as the threat of Avian flu stares at the world markets, India has managed to make a major breakthrough in Japan by getting clearance to export its poultry products to Far-East nation.
"Japan, one of the sophisticated and the toughest market to crack due to its high quality standards, has recently granted access to Indian poultry products," said Mr K.S.Money, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).
"India has been eyeing the Japanese poultry market for several years now and has finally managed to make a breakthrough," he said.
Commenting on the Avian flu, Mr Money said it was unlikely to have any impact on the country's poultry sector.
"On the contrary, we are trying to command a premium for our poultry products," Mr Money said.
"India has a better chance of getting a bigger share of the world market now," he said.
The exports of egg and egg powder were doing well this fiscal, Mr Money.
The overall exports of agricultural products could increase on an average by 15-20 per cent over last year's Rs 16,000 crore, he said.
The Japanese market accounts for less than five per cent of Apeda's total exports.
Except for wheat and the non-basmati rice, exports of all other principal commodities, including floriculture and seeds, processed and foods and poultry products, had done well in the first six months of the current financial year, Mr Money said.
The overall export basket has grown by 19 per cent in the April-August period of the current fiscal to Rs 7355.06 crore.
During the corresponding period a year ago, exports totalled Rs 6185.30 crore ago.
Meanwhile, a senior Government official said the committee set up by the Union Government to study the cost-competitiveness of the exports of perishable goods was expected to submit its report to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) within a month.
The domestic exporters of perishable goods are facing disadvantages compared to their peers, especially when it comes to the freight charges, handling charges and lack of space on flights, among others.
Freight charges for perishable exports are higher by close to 50 per cent when compared to neighbouring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya, among others.
The exporters had urged the Government to remove anomalies they were facing in competing with other countries, while exporting flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs and other medicinal plants.
The committee consisting of senior officials from the commerce, agriculture and civil aviation ministries would study the cost-competitiveness of the sector, and suggest immediate action for rationalising the tariffs, the official added.
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