India’s buffalo meat exports have grown strongly in recent years, making it one of the country’s top agricultural export products.
Exports rose 25.6% to $5.1 billion in 2025-26. The growth has continued this year, with exports reaching nearly $1.5 billion between April and June 2026, up 66.6% from the same period last year.
Officials expect India’s buffalo meat exports to cross $6 billion in 2026-27.
Export Value Is Rising
India is not only exporting more buffalo meat but also getting better prices for it.
The average export value increased from around $3,240 per tonne in 2014-15 to $3,591 in 2025-26. It rose further to about $4,392 per tonne during April-June 2026.
Officials say better quality, improved safety standards and stricter checks at processing plants have helped increase the value of Indian buffalo meat.
More Countries Are Buying
India exports buffalo meat to several countries, including Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
New markets such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq, Russia, Georgia, Oman and Senegal are also becoming important buyers.
India is now the world’s third-largest bovine meat exporter.
Used In Many Food Products
Indian buffalo meat, also called carabeef, is widely used to make sausages, burger patties, nuggets, canned foods and ready-to-eat products.
Exporters are also trying to sell more meat in smaller retail packs instead of large frozen blocks. This could help increase the value of exports.
Helps Dairy Farmers
The buffalo meat industry also supports India’s dairy farmers.
India does not allow cattle beef exports. Buffalo meat exports mainly involve older or unproductive buffaloes, male animals and animals that can no longer produce enough milk.
Selling these animals gives farmers extra income and helps them buy younger, more productive buffaloes.
For many farmers, the money received from an old buffalo can help cover part of the cost of buying a new milch animal.
Growing Demand For Buffalo Milk
Demand for products such as ghee, paneer, cream, ice cream and traditional sweets is also increasing.
These products need high-fat milk, which is largely supplied by buffaloes. This gives farmers more reason to maintain productive buffalo herds.
Industry Wants Stable Policies
Exporters are asking for clear and stable government policies.
They support action against illegal slaughterhouses but want approved meat processing plants to face fewer disruptions when they meet the required safety and registration rules.
With rising exports, better prices and new markets, buffalo meat is becoming an important part of India’s agricultural export and dairy economy.
