March 5, 2007

India's Suguna Poultry enters market for layer breeds

India's Suguna Poultry Farm Ltd, has announced its first foray into the layer segment through a partnership with Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH of Germany.

B. Soundarajan, Managing Director of Suguna Group, said the partnership with the German company, a global leader in primary breeding for layers, would help Suguna provide good returns to Indian poultry farmers.

The Lohmann LSL Life breed would provide more than 325 eggs in 72 weeks, compared to the industry average of 315-320 eggs. At the same time, the cost of production per egg would be three percent lower. The eggs are bigger while lesser feed is required, he added.

The first layer chicks went on sale in March in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Suguna achieved a turnover of US$250 million last year and is aiming for US$315 million this financial year.

The company is investing US$11 million in the next three years to set up feed mills and chicken processing plants.

Suguna recently entered the fast-food business by opening the ¡®Rail Road¡¯ brand of chicken restaurants.