Market research

Beef and buffalo meat market in India

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Indian beef and buffalo meat market volume grew from 3.1 million tons in 2018 to 3.2 million tons in 2019, supported by the government's active promotion of buffalo meat exports and modernization of processing facilities. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions, leading to a temporary decline in volume to 2.8 million tons.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume returning to 3.2 million tons as the number of integrated slaughter and meat processing plants increased, boosting export capacity. Growth continued through 2023, reaching 3.3 million tons, driven by sustained international demand and a 15% annual rise in buffalo meat exports, even as some states implemented stricter regulations on cattle slaughter.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in India
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from India by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from India by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from India, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from India by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from India by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from India by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from India, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from India by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 7.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 7.2.2. In value, M $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beef and buffalo meat in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India ranked fourth globally in beef and buffalo meat production by volume.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

India's beef and buffalo meat production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production stood at 3 760 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 11.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 4 270 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 0.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.2%	0.7%	(11.9%)	(3.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in India fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 146 million US dollars, a 7.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 13.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 909 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 0.4% also in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.4%	(6.4%)	(7.8%)	(4.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beef and buffalo meat from India

Exports in kind, K t

India's beef and buffalo meat export volumes dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 943 thousand tonnes, representing a 14.2% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.4%)	(1.1%)	(14.2%)	(10.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Egypt were the main buyers of India's beef and buffalo meat by volume. Vietnam accounted for 40.0% of exports, Malaysia for 10.6%, and Egypt for 7.3%. Together, these three countries made up 57.9% of India's total beef and buffalo meat exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

India's beef and buffalo meat export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 2 795 million US dollars, a notable 10.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.2%)	(8.1%)	(10.1%)	(11.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia were the key partners for India's beef and buffalo meat exports by value. Vietnam represented 40.5% of exports, Malaysia 11.0%, and Indonesia 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 58.7% of India's total beef and buffalo meat export flows in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io