The Poultry Cry
The poultry sector is caught in a delicate situation, grappling with the repercussions of corn’s burgeoning use in ethanol production. Faced with an impending corn shortage, the All India Poultry Breeder Association (AIPBA), headquartered in Delhi, has penned a heartfelt plea to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. The request is simple yet crucial: allow duty-free imports of corn to safeguard the poultry industry’s future.
The AIPBA, through a recent memorandum, is advocating for a lifeline in the form of duty-free corn imports. Currently burdened with a 50% basic import duty, the poultry sector urges the government to reconsider this tariff to ensure its ability to meet future demands. The association emphasizes that India’s annual production of 34.60 million tonnes falls short of catering to the poultry sector and the nation’s broader food security needs.
Ethanol’s Impact And A Poultry Predicament
Expressing deep concerns, AIPBA highlights that the poultry and livestock industry devours over 60% of the country’s corn production. The government’s ambitious plan to derive 50% ethanol from corn by 2025-26 is ringing alarm bells. The association fears that such a significant diversion of corn to ethanol production could create a gaping hole in the poultry industry’s access to vital feedstock, resulting in a looming demand-supply crisis.
A decade-long analysis reveals a stark contrast in growth rates, with production inching forward at 4.5% while the poultry industry experiences a robust 8-9% surge. This stark disparity is a glaring indicator of an impending corn shortage, exacerbated by the government’s vigorous push towards corn-centric ethanol production. With the immediate need for corn looming, the AIPBA contends that the poultry industry faces two stark choices: bolster domestic production significantly or import from foreign shores. Given the implausibility of significant short-term domestic output increases, the association staunchly advocates importing corn as the most practical and immediate solution.
Price Predicament – Soaring Costs Impact Poultry
The insatiable appetite for ethanol for corn has unleashed a ripple effect, propelling prices skyward. Poultry farmers are trapped in an unsustainable cost quagmire, with prices hovering around $0,31 – $0,32 or €0,26 – €0,28 per kg across India. The ominous forecast predicts further burdens by February, sounding a warning bell for the poultry industry and its economic stability.
In conclusion, the AIPBA’s plea echoes the urgent need for strategic intervention to safeguard the poultry industry from an imminent crisis. The call for duty-free corn imports emerges not only as a plea for economic relief but as a crucial step to ensure the nation’s food security and the well-being of the poultry sector.
Please click to reach our marketplace