India’s Buffalo Meat Exports Rise 25.6% to $5.1 Billion in FY26
India’s buffalo meat shipments surge by 25.6% to $5.1 billion in FY26 (April-March), crossing $5 billion for the first time as per Ministry of Commerce data. The export rise is attributed to new markets and exports being allowed only from plants registered by APEDA.
India’s Buffalo Meat Exports:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Terminology | Indian buffalo meat is also called carabeef. |
| Restriction | India does not permit export of beef (cattle meat). |
| Eligible animals for export carabeef | Carabeef exports comprise buffaloes that do not produce enough milk after around 5 calvings/lactations (8-9 years old), are infertile, have damaged udders, or are male. |
| Markets | New markets comprise Uzbekistan, Russia, Georgia, Oman, and Senegal; traditional markets comprise Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, Philippines, and Jordan. |
| Global exporter ranking | India is the world’s third largest bovine meat exporter, next to Brazil and Australia. |
| Unit value realisation | Indian buffalo meat is previously exported at $3,000 per tonne versus $5,000 for Brazilian beef, and the discount reduces to $500-700 per tonne. |
| APEDA legal basis | APEDA is a statutory body established in 1986 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. |
| APEDA functions | APEDA authorises promotion of export and development of agricultural and processed food products in India, and monitors the import of sugar. |
| APEDA role in organic exports accreditation | APEDA functions as the secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for implementation of accreditation of certification bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports. |
| FAO data (2024) | As per FAO data (2024), India is the world’s largest producer of rice (26.52% global share), second largest producer of wheat (14.19%), third largest producer of sorghum (8.43%), and fifth largest producer of maize (3.3%). |
| Major export destinations (2025-26) | Major export destinations comprise Saudi Arabia (9.1%), Iran (6.8%), UAE (6.0%), Benin (5.7%), Iraq (5.6%), Bangladesh (5.4%), Togo (3.3%), Guinea (3.3%), Nepal (3.2%), Yemen (3.0%), USA (2.8%), and Cote D'Ivoire (2.8%). |