India’s buffalo meat exports are on course to cross the $6 billion mark in FY2026-27, after shipments surged strongly in the previous financial year and continued to gain momentum during the opening quarter of the current fiscal.
Exports of buffalo meat reached $5.1 billion in FY2025-26, registering a 25.6% year-on-year increase. The growth has accelerated further in FY27, with exports rising 66.6% year on year to nearly $1.5 billion during April-June 2026, according to trade data.
A Commerce Ministry official said India crossed the $5 billion milestone for the first time last fiscal and is now on track to exceed $6 billion in FY2026-27.
Higher value realisation
The export growth is not limited to higher volumes. Indian exporters have also recorded a significant improvement in the value realised per tonne.
The average export value rose from around $3,591 per tonne in FY2025-26 to $4,392 per tonne during April-June 2026. Industry officials attribute the improvement partly to stronger quality standards and greater acceptance of Indian buffalo meat in international markets.
Exports are permitted from processing facilities registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), subject to safety, hygiene and infrastructure requirements. India currently has 83 APEDA-approved integrated abattoir-cum-meat processing plants, in addition to other registered slaughterhouses and processing facilities.
Markets expand
India is also broadening its export footprint. Major destinations include Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq, the Philippines and Jordan. Vietnam remained the largest destination in FY2025-26, with imports from India valued at about $933.9 million.
The emergence of new markets such as Uzbekistan, Russia, Oman, Senegal and Georgia is providing additional opportunities for Indian exporters and reducing dependence on a limited group of traditional markets.
APEDA has also established a Meat Export Development Fund, supported by a levy on frozen and chilled buffalo meat exports, to assist market development, trade promotion and efforts to overcome non-tariff barriers.
Boost for the dairy economy
The expanding buffalo meat trade also has implications for India’s dairy sector. Industry representatives say the export chain provides an avenue for the disposal of older, non-productive buffaloes, allowing farmers to generate value from animals that are no longer economically viable for milk production.
India is currently among the world’s leading bovine-meat exporters, with competitive pricing helping sustain demand in international markets. USDA projections for 2026 also point to continued export demand for Indian carabeef.
With strong first-quarter growth, improving unit realisations and expanding overseas markets, buffalo meat is emerging as one of India’s most significant agricultural export success stories. If the current pace is sustained, crossing $6 billion in FY2026-27 could mark another record for India’s buffalo meat export industry.