Indian eggs in demand as Qatar faces shortage

DUBAI: With Qatar facing a shortage of eggs and a severe hike in the prices of the poultry produce, India has emerged as a major exporter after restrictions were imposed on the import of Saudi Arabian eggs.

The ban was recently introduced on the import of eggs from Saudi Arabia in the wake of a bird flu scare.

A retail outlet in Hilal area of Doha said the rate of a dozen cartons of local eggs (360 pieces) had gone up to QR170 from QR150 just a day before. Some outlets displayed notices apologising to customers for not having enough supplies, while some of them did not have eggs at all, "Peninsula" daily reported.

Supplies are affected since eggs are not produced enough locally to take care of the demand.

Importers are not quite keen to get the poultry produce from overseas due to strict checks conducted by the authorities concerned and uncertainties over their clearance but still India has emerged as a major exporter of eggs in the region.

There are still others who see the rising population as an additional reason for the egg shortage. The huge influx of foreign workers into the country is expanding the consumer base, the report said.