A five-billion dollar, and growing, success story

India's buffalo meat exports have experienced remarkable growth, reaching a record $5.1 billion in 2025-26, up from $896.8 million in the first quarter of the same fiscal year. Commerce Ministry officials anticipate surpassing $6 billion in exports for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The value realization per tonne has also significantly improved, rising from $3,240 in 2014-15 to $4,392 in April-June 2026.

This growth is attributed to stringent safety, hygiene, and infrastructure requirements set by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), resulting in high-quality product acceptance. India currently has 83 APEDA-approved integrated abattoirs-cum-meat processing plants, along with five standalone slaughterhouses and ten meat processing plants registered for exports.

With 17 lakh tonnes of buffalo meat exports projected for 2026, India has become the world's third-largest bovine meat exporter, trailing only Brazil and Australia. The top three exporters are Allanasons Private Ltd (Mumbai), Fair Exports India (Abu Dhabi), and HMA Agro Industries (Agra).

The export diversification has led to significant growth in export destinations. In 2025-26, top importers accounted for over $100 million worth of buffalo meat, including Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq, Philippines, and Jordan.

Buffalo meat exports not only contribute to market expansion but also support India's dairy economy by providing a market for unproductive buffaloes, ensuring a systematic replacement of aging animals with high-milking and young stock.