Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner announced the first shipment of U.S.-grown turkey products from Virginia to India.
The shipment marks a historic milestone in international trade, expanding the reach of American turkey products in global markets, and opening new doors for U.S. turkey producers.
The shipment is a result of a recent trade agreement and tariff reduction, facilitated by a collaborative effort between the Republic of India and the United States government, including through strong efforts driven by Warner. In 2023, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, Warner and his colleagues encouraged Ambassador Tai to increase market access for U.S. turkey and poultry products. The products previously faced significant barriers to the Indian market due to prohibitively high tariff rates.
“This shipment is a tremendous opportunity for Virginia’s poultry producers and a huge step forward for U.S.-India trade,” Warner said. “As co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, I look forward to the ongoing cooperation between our two nations and to seeing a wealth of new opportunities open up for Virginia’s poultry producers.”
Leslee Oden, CEO of the National Turkey Federation, said American turkey producers have long been committed to providing safe, nutritious and versatile protein options internationally.
“We’re excited to see Indian consumers experience the exceptional quality of American turkey. This first shipment is a testament to the strength of U.S.-India trade relations and a reflection of our shared commitment to expanding food diversity and quality,” Oden said.
John King is president of Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative.
“Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative is excited to be part of this new market opportunity. We thank Sen. Warner and the many dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Their efforts will directly benefit our nearly 200 independent grower owners,” King said.
Under the trade agreement announced in September 2023, the Republic of India eliminated and reduced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. turkey products, paving the way for increased access to the nation’s rapidly growing protein market. The development creates new opportunities for U.S. producers and exporters, including in Virginia, while providing Indian consumers with more affordable, high-quality American turkey. The first shipment, containing turkeys raised by the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, was recently shipped from the Port of Virginia. The shipment comes ahead of the holiday season, as India seeks whole birds in restaurants and hotels.
“Virginia turkey farmers are pleased to offer high quality, lean protein for export to India, and we are grateful for those who facilitated this opportunity,” said Hobey Bauhan, President of the Virginia Poultry Federation.
In 2021, Virginia was the 6th largest turkey source in America after producing 14.5 million birds. Turkey production plays a key role in the Commonwealth‘s poultry industry, which provides a direct economic impact of $5.8 billion and contributes $13.6 billion in economic activity in Virginia.
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Rebecca Barnabi
