India’s poultry industry under pressure, yet poised for growth

From avian influenza and feed inflation to export disruptions, the sector is navigating a series of crises even as rising protein consumption, technology adoption and policy support create a strong foundation for long-term expansion

Few sectors illustrate the resilience of Indian agriculture better than poultry. Over the past decade, the industry has evolved into a modern, technology-led agribusiness that plays a vital role in food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods. Yet its growth story has rarely been linear. Rising feed costs, recurring outbreaks of avian influenza, prolonged heatwaves and export disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions have simultaneously tested producers, squeezing margins and exposing structural vulnerabilities across the value chain. Even as operational pressures mount, domestic demand for eggs and chicken continues to expand, supported by changing food habits, rising incomes and an increasing recognition of animal protein as an essential part of India’s nutrition agenda. The industry’s challenge is no longer proving its growth potential, but ensuring that profitability, resilience and sustainability keep pace with rising consumption.

This article examines an industry at a critical inflection point. It explores how feed security, disease management, climate resilience and policy reforms will determine the sector’s next phase of growth, while opportunities in value-added poultry products, precision farming, cold-chain infrastructure and export markets are reshaping investment priorities. The message from industry leaders is clear: India’s poultry sector has the scale, entrepreneurial strength and consumer demand to emerge as a global powerhouse. Realising that ambition, however, will require smarter policies, stronger biosecurity, deeper industry-academia collaboration and sustained investment in innovation to build a poultry ecosystem that is both globally competitive and resilient to future shocks.…Read more by