Bhubaneswar: In a historic turnaround for a region once synonymous with droughts and starvation deaths, Odisha’s Balangir has officially marked its entry into the premium global food market.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), operating under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, recently facilitated the first-ever commercial export shipment of 22.6 metric tonnes of dried whole egg powder from Balangir to Austria.
This was made possible with a state-of-the-art egg processing facility by OVO
Farm in Balangir in 2025. Specifically engineered to meet stringent global food safety benchmarks, the plant utilises spray-drying technology to convert liquid eggs into a highly versatile powder used widely across international bakeries, confectionery manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries owing to its long shelf life, ease of transportation and versatility. The facility boasts elite international credentials, including FSSC 22000 Version 6, HALAL, and KOSHER certifications, while strictly adhering to European Union hygiene requirements. Financial assistance schemes from APEDA supported the infrastructure, upgrading its laboratory testing and quality management systems to survive the rigorous vetting of European buyers.
The maiden shipment was virtually flagged off by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev alongside senior regional officials Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department, Prem Chand and Balangir Collector Gaurav Shivaji Isalwar. This export milestone is poised to drive further investment in poultry processing, fortify Odisha’s agro-processing ecosystem, and unlock new avenues for the state’s value-added product exports