India’s exports of meat from bovine animals are estimated to be the second largest in the world after Brazil in 2013 and 2014. In the financial year ending March 31, 2014, boneless “buffalo” meat exports rose to $4.4 billion from $3.2 billion in 2013. Since India supplies boneless and genuinely halal cuts, it is also a very attractive supplier for Muslim countries.
| Dramatic Export Increases for Wide Range of Agricultural Products | |||
| Product | 2009 Export Value | 2013 Export Value | Increase |
| Rice | $2.4 | $7.1 | +$4.7 |
| Buffalo | $0.9 | $4.0 | +$3.1 |
| Cotton | $1.2 | $3.8 | +$2.6 |
| Soybean Meal | $1.4 | $2.7 | +$1.3 |
| Guar Gum | $0.2 | $2.4 | +$2.2 |
| Corn | $0.5 | $1.2 | +$0.7 |
| Wheat | $0.0 | $1.0 | +$1.0 |
| Other Products | $8.2 | $17.1 | +$8.9 |
| Total | $14.8 | $39.3 | +$24.5 |
| Source: GTA | |||
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) , India has become a very important player on the global agricultural market, especially for rice, cotton, sugar, and buffalo meat.
The boneless buffalo meat export sector is noted for its standards of hygiene, and there have not been any reports of rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy. India’s buffaloes – 56% of the world population – are fed grasses and crop residues which improves the health of the livestock and the flavor of the meat.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
