Odisha enters European market with first export of egg powder shipment to Austria

Balangir, Odisha: India has marked a significant milestone in its agricultural and processed food export journey with the successful shipment of the first-ever consignment of dried whole egg powder from Odisha to Austria. The export, facilitated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), highlights the growing global demand for Indian value-added poultry products and reflects the country's efforts to move beyond raw agricultural exports towards higher-value processed food products.

The maiden consignment, comprising 22.6 metric tonnes of dried whole egg powder, was exported by OVO Farm Pvt. Ltd. from Balangir district of Odisha. The development opens new opportunities for Indian egg processors to access premium European markets and demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of India's food processing sector.

The export is particularly significant for Odisha, which has been strengthening its agro-processing ecosystem in recent years. Industry stakeholders believe the successful shipment could position the state as an emerging hub for processed poultry products while creating new market opportunities for poultry farmers, feed suppliers and food processing enterprises.

To support export-oriented production, OVO Farm established a state-of-the-art egg processing facility in Balangir in 2025. The facility produces dehydrated egg products that meet stringent domestic and international quality requirements. It operates in compliance with Export Inspection Council (EIC) standards, European Union hygiene regulations and other globally accepted food safety protocols.

The processing unit is certified under FSSC 22000 Version 6, an internationally recognized food safety management system. In addition, it holds HALAL and KOSHER certifications, enabling access to diverse international markets with specific food compliance requirements.

Dried whole egg powder is increasingly used across multiple industries due to its convenience, nutritional value and long shelf life. The product serves as an essential ingredient in bakery products, confectionery items, ready-to-eat foods, pasta, sauces, nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical formulations. Unlike fresh eggs, the powdered form is easier to transport, store and handle, making it highly suitable for international trade.

The manufacturing process involves converting liquid eggs into powder through spray-drying technology while preserving nutritional quality and functional properties. Strict quality control measures are implemented throughout production to ensure compliance with importing countries' standards.

The export consignment was virtually flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev. Senior officials from the Government of Odisha, including representatives from the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department and the Balangir district administration, participated in the event along with APEDA officials and industry stakeholders.

APEDA has played an important role in supporting the exporter through various financial assistance and export promotion schemes. These initiatives focus on strengthening food processing infrastructure, adoption of food safety and quality management systems, laboratory testing facilities and export readiness among Indian food businesses.

The successful shipment comes at a time when European countries are increasingly sourcing processed food ingredients from reliable suppliers capable of meeting strict regulatory standards. Austria and several other European nations import substantial quantities of egg powder for use in food manufacturing and industrial applications, creating opportunities for Indian exporters to expand their presence in the region.

Industry experts view the export as an encouraging example of how investments in food processing and value addition can help increase farmers' incomes and enhance India's agricultural export basket. By transforming raw agricultural and livestock products into processed, export-ready commodities, businesses can capture greater value and improve profitability across the supply chain.

The development is also expected to encourage further investments in poultry processing infrastructure in Odisha and other states. With rising international demand for processed egg products, India is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a reliable supplier of high-quality poultry-derived ingredients to global markets.

As India pursues its goal of expanding agricultural exports and enhancing value addition, the successful entry of Odisha-made dried whole egg powder into the European market represents an important step toward diversifying the country's processed food export portfolio and strengthening its presence in premium international markets.