7 Reasons Why India is the World’s Largest Buffalo Meat Exporter
India is a global leader in buffalo meat exports, with a market share of over 40% in 2020. The country exported 1.17 million tonnes of buffalo meat products worth $3.19 billion in 2020-21, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). But what makes India’s buffalo meat so popular and competitive in the international market? Here are seven reasons why India is the world’s largest buffalo meat exporter:
1. Quality and safety standards
India has a world-class meat processing infrastructure that follows strict quality management, food safety management and environmental management systems. All the buffalo meat products are tested and certified as per international standards and guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The meat is also halal-certified, which makes it acceptable to Muslim consumers across the world.
2. Affordability and availability
India’s buffalo meat is affordable and competitive in the global market, as it is derived from surplus male buffaloes that are not used for milk production or draught purposes. The country has the largest livestock population in the world, with over 109 million buffaloes, according to the 20th Livestock Census. The availability of buffalo meat throughout the year ensures a steady supply to meet the growing demand.
3. Nutritional value
Buffalo meat is rich in protein, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients that are beneficial for human health. It has lower fat and cholesterol content than beef, making it a healthier choice for consumers. Buffalo meat also has a longer shelf life than other meats, as it has less moisture and more connective tissue.
4. Diversity of products
India exports a wide range of buffalo meat products, such as carcasses, bone-in meat, boneless meat, offals, processed meat and animal casings. These products cater to different preferences and requirements of consumers in different countries. India also exports value-added products, such as ready-to-eat meals, snacks, sausages and burgers, made from buffalo meat.
5. Market access
India has established trade relations with over 70 countries for buffalo meat exports, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and UAE. These countries account for over 90% of India’s buffalo meat exports. India also enjoys preferential tariff rates under various trade agreements with some of these countries, such as ASEAN and GCC.
6. Demand and consumption patterns
The global demand for buffalo meat is driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, income growth, dietary changes and cultural preferences. Buffalo meat is widely consumed in Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, where it is used in various cuisines and dishes. Buffalo meat is also preferred by consumers who are looking for alternatives to beef due to religious or environmental reasons.
7. Government support
The Indian government provides various incentives and support measures to promote buffalo meat exports, such as subsidies for infrastructure development, quality certification, market promotion and export facilitation. The government also regulates the export of buffalo meat through APEDA, which ensures compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures and animal welfare standards.
India’s Buffalo Meat Export Industry: Trends and Prospects
India is one of the largest producers and exporters of buffalo meat in the world. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India accounts for about 43% of the world buffalo meat production, with Uttar Pradesh producing the most, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The country has exported 1,175,869.13 MT of buffalo meat products to the world for the worth of Rs. 25,648.10 Crores/ 3,194.70 USD Millions during the year 2022-23.
Major Export Destinations
The major export destinations for India’s buffalo meat are Malaysia, Vietnam, Egypt, Indonesia, and Iraq. These five countries accounted for about 72% of the total export value and 69% of the total export quantity in 2022-23. The demand for buffalo meat in these markets is driven by factors such as low price, high quality, religious preferences, and cultural ties.
Export Trends and Challenges
India’s buffalo meat exports have shown an increasing trend over the years, reaching a peak of 4.78 billion USD in 2014-15. However, since then, the exports have declined slightly due to various challenges such as competition from other countries, trade barriers, quality issues, animal health concerns, and domestic regulations. In 2017-18, India’s buffalo meat exports increased by nearly 2% to 13.48 lakh tonnes in volume terms but fell marginally by 0.3% to 3.97 billion USD in value terms.
Future Prospects and Opportunities
Despite the challenges, India’s buffalo meat export industry has a huge potential to grow further in the future. Some of the opportunities that can be explored are:
- Diversifying the export markets to include new destinations such as China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
- Improving the quality standards and certification systems to meet the requirements of the importing countries.
- Enhancing the value addition and processing capabilities to offer more variety and convenience to the consumers.
- Promoting the branding and marketing of Indian buffalo meat products to increase their visibility and recognition.
References:
https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-beef-about-buff/297825
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-on-top-in-exporting-beef/article7519487.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-on-top-in-exporting-beef/article7519487.ece
https://www.statista.com/statistics/652369/export-value-of-buffalo-meat-india/
https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/product_profile/exp_f_india.aspx?categorycode=0401
https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/buffalo-meat-exports-up-2percent-at-135-mn-ton-in-fy18-104058-2018-04-27
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1739979
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/where-indian-buffalo-meat-exports-go-4609512/
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