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Processed food

Export buffalo meat (frozen)

India is the world’s largest buffalo meat exporter. Only APEDA-registered plants, halal under i-CAS, and strict veterinary rules.

Free, with conditionsHS 0202
HS code
0202
Meat of bovine animals, frozen — India exports only boneless meat of buffalo (0202 30). Beef of cows, oxen and calves is prohibited for export.
Export policy
Free, with conditions
Free subject to conditions: the meat must come from an APEDA-registered integrated abattoir or meat-processing plant, with the export health and halal conditions met. Halal certification under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme (i-CAS) by NABCB-accredited bodies is mandatory for notified countries (Notification 34/2024-25); Notification 59/2025-26 (9 Feb 2026) added 20 more countries, and for Egypt the start date was pushed to nine months from 9 Feb 2026 (Notification 28/2026-27). DGFT also tied boneless bovine meat exports to remittance to APEDA’s Meat Export Development Fund in October 2025 — confirm all current conditions on DGFT and APEDA.
Registrations
6
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 4.61 bn
to 57 countries

What is exported

APEDA describes India as the largest buffalo meat exporter in the world, with US$ 5,098.54 million of exports in 2025-26. Frozen boneless buffalo meat goes mainly to Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Buffalo population is concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. This trade is run by large integrated abattoir-cum-processing plants; a newcomer can only trade, not process, without one.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Frozen boneless buffalo meat — primal cutsTopside, silverside, knuckle, striploin and others, by buyer specification.
  • Trimmings and forequarterFor processing and mince, sold by visual lean percentage.
  • Edible offalLiver, tongue and others, under their own lines and conditions.

Where it is grown or made

  • Uttar PradeshThe largest buffalo population (30%) and many integrated plants (Aligarh, Unnao, Agra, Rampur and others).
  • Maharashtra and TelanganaIntegrated plants and export through JNPT.
  • Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya PradeshPlants close to buffalo-rearing areas.

Export packing

  • Vacuum-packed or poly-wrapped cuts in cartons carrying the plant number, halal mark and production date.
  • Blast-frozen and shipped in 40-ft reefers at –18 °C or colder.

Who buys abroad

  • Meat importers and processors in Vietnam, Malaysia and Egypt
  • Gulf importers and food-service suppliers
  • Government and tender buyers in some markets

The quality buyers ask for

Product
Frozen boneless buffalo meat, deboned and deglanded, cut to the buyer’s list
Temperature
–18 °C or colder at the core
Residues and microbiology
Within the importer’s limits, as stated on the health certificate
Halal
Slaughter and processing under i-CAS halal by an NABCB-accredited body for notified countries

Certificates

  • APEDA plant registrationRequiredIntegrated abattoir or meat-processing plant registered with APEDA; exports must come from such plants.
  • i-CAS HalalRequiredMandatory halal certification under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme for countries notified by DGFT.
  • Veterinary health certificateRequiredIssued for each consignment in the format agreed with the importing country.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that controls hazards at each processing step. Most importers ask for it.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

40-ft reefers at –18 °C or colder; a 40-ft typically carries about 25–27 tonnes of cartoned meat (your forwarder confirms).

How it travels

Sea freight, mainly from JNPT (Nhava Sheva), Mundra and Kolkata/Haldia.

Storage

Blast-frozen, then held at –18 °C or colder in cold stores.

Shelf life

Typically 12–24 months frozen, as agreed with the buyer.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Each carton: product and cut, plant registration number, halal mark and certifier, production and expiry dates, net weight, “Product of India”, storage temperature.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

EIC and its Export Inspection Agencies run laboratories and approve private labs for export certification (eicindia.gov.in). NABL-accredited labs (nabl-india.org) test residues, heavy metals and microbiology.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • APEDA (plant registration)The abattoir and meat-processing plant must be registered with APEDA; consignments are traced through Meat.Net.apeda.gov.in ↗
  • i-CAS Halal (NABCB-accredited body)Halal certificate under the India Conformity Assessment Scheme for the countries DGFT has notified.apeda.gov.in ↗
  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Veterinary health certificate for each consignment, in the format agreed with the importing country.
  • Residue and microbiology testing, and the importing country’s own plant listing or inspection (several buyers audit Indian plants).
  • Core temperature –18 °C or colder throughout; cartons carry the plant registration number.
How to start small

A newcomer cannot process meat without a registered plant. The realistic start is as a merchant exporter buying from an APEDA-registered integrated plant for a buyer you already know, with an LC or advance — and with the halal and health certificates issued in that plant’s name. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Buying from an unregistered slaughterhouse — the shipment cannot be exported legally.
  • Halal certificate from a body not accredited under i-CAS for a notified country.
  • Market access changes overnight after a disease outbreak; keep payment secured.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Buffalo Meat (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT Notification 59/2025-26 (9 Feb 2026) — i-CAS Halal for meat extended to 20 more countries
  3. DGFT Notification 28/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) — Egypt transition for i-CAS Halal extended to nine months
  4. DGFT — Notifications (ITC(HS) export policy amendments)
  5. APEDA — DGFT notifications for APEDA products
  6. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)

Trade data

Indian buffalo meat (frozen) exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 4.61 bn
+10.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +25.7%
US$ 3.67 bn → US$ 4.61 bn
Buyer countries
57
Average export price
US$ 3.70
per kg · 1.25 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 3.34 the year before
Vietnam: US$ 739 mnEgypt: US$ 706 mnMalaysia: US$ 632 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 389 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 328 mnUzbekistan: US$ 301 mnIndonesia: US$ 301 mnIraq: US$ 285 mnPhilippines: US$ 177 mnRussia: US$ 97.5 mnOman: US$ 79.3 mnGeorgia: US$ 70.2 mnJordan: US$ 69.7 mnSenegal: US$ 64.6 mnHong Kong: US$ 33.7 mnQatar: US$ 26.5 mnBahrain: US$ 26.2 mnMauritius: US$ 23.9 mnKuwait: US$ 20.2 mnAlgeria: US$ 17.9 mnSingapore: US$ 14.3 mnVietnam: US$ 739 mnVietnamEgypt: US$ 706 mnEgyptMalaysia: US$ 632 mnMalaysiaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 389 mnUnited Arab EmiratesSaudi Arabia: US$ 328 mnUzbekistan: US$ 301 mnUzbekistanIndonesia: US$ 301 mnIndonesiaIraq: US$ 285 mnPhilippines: US$ 177 mnRussia: US$ 97.5 mnOman: US$ 79.3 mnGeorgia: US$ 70.2 mnJordan: US$ 69.7 mnSenegal: US$ 64.6 mnHong Kong: US$ 33.7 mnQatar: US$ 26.5 mnBahrain: US$ 26.2 mnMauritius: US$ 23.9 mnKuwait: US$ 20.2 mnAlgeria: US$ 17.9 mnSingapore: US$ 14.3 mnIndia
Where Indian buffalo meat (frozen) goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 2.85 bn2.9k2020-212021-22: US$ 2.94 bn2.9k2021-222022-23: US$ 2.86 bn2.9k2022-232023-24: US$ 3.36 bn3.4k2023-242024-25: US$ 3.67 bn3.7k2024-252025-26: US$ 4.61 bn4.6k2025-26
India’s buffalo meat (frozen) exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2025-26, lowest in 2022-23 — a 34% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 3.00 per kg2021-22: US$ 2.85 per kg2022-23: US$ 2.77 per kg2.772024-25: US$ 3.34 per kg2025-26: US$ 3.70 per kg3.702020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian buffalo meat (frozen) · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 2.85 bn2020-212021-22: US$ 2.94 bn2021-222022-23: US$ 2.86 bn2022-232023-24: US$ 3.36 bn2023-242024-25: US$ 3.67 bn2024-252025-26: US$ 4.61 bn2025-262026-27: US$ 4.6 bn (US$ 4.1 bn – US$ 5.17 bn)4.6k2026-272027-28: US$ 5.05 bn (US$ 4.43 bn – US$ 5.75 bn)5.0k2027-28
India’s buffalo meat (frozen) exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 5.05 bn

Likely range US$ 4.43 bn to US$ 5.75 bn.

Trend
+9.7% a year
Fit (R²)
0.84
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1VietnamUS$ 739 mn+27.6%
2EgyptUS$ 706 mn+10.9%
3MalaysiaUS$ 632 mn+5.3%
4United Arab EmiratesUS$ 389 mn+52.9%
5Saudi ArabiaUS$ 328 mn+13%
6UzbekistanUS$ 301 mn+216.5%
7IndonesiaUS$ 301 mn+29%
8IraqUS$ 285 mn-19.4%
9PhilippinesUS$ 177 mn+54%
10RussiaUS$ 97.5 mn+172.8%
11OmanUS$ 79.3 mn+16.7%
12GeorgiaUS$ 70.2 mn+124.6%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. UzbekistanUS$ 95.1 mn → US$ 301 mn+216.5%
  2. RussiaUS$ 35.8 mn → US$ 97.5 mn+172.8%
  3. GeorgiaUS$ 31.3 mn → US$ 70.2 mn+124.6%
  4. PhilippinesUS$ 115 mn → US$ 177 mn+54%
  5. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 254 mn → US$ 389 mn+52.9%
  6. IndonesiaUS$ 233 mn → US$ 301 mn+29%
  7. JordanUS$ 54.3 mn → US$ 69.7 mn+28.2%
  8. VietnamUS$ 579 mn → US$ 739 mn+27.6%

Low demand

  1. IraqUS$ 354 mn → US$ 285 mn-19.4%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Boneless meat of bovine animals , frozen0202 30 00 · Meat, of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozenUS$ 4.61 bn+25.6%1.24 mn tonnesUS$ 3.70 per kgwas US$ 3.34
Crcs half-crcs of bovn anmls, frozen0202 10 00 · Meat, of bovine animals, carcasses and half-carcasses, frozenUS$ 4.2 mn+4,588.9%952 tonnesUS$ 4.43 per kgwas US$ 3.57
Other cut meat of bovn anml,frzn with bon in0202 20 00 · Meat, of bovine animals, cuts with bone in, frozenUS$ 0-100%——

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 32.9 bn
2023
India among exporters
#4
of 117 countries
India’s share of world exports
9.8%
US$ 3.19 bn
Left for others to win
US$ 29.5 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1BrazilUS$ 8.53 bn 26.1%
  2. 2AustraliaUS$ 4.81 bn 14.7%
  3. 3USAUS$ 4.18 bn 12.8%
  4. 4IndiaUS$ 3.19 bn 9.8%
  5. 5New ZealandUS$ 2.38 bn 7.3%
  6. 6ArgentinaUS$ 1.96 bn 6%
  7. 7UruguayUS$ 1.61 bn 4.9%
  8. 8ParaguayUS$ 734 mn 2.2%
  9. 9IrelandUS$ 672 mn 2.1%
  10. 10PolandUS$ 579 mn 1.8%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 13.5 bn 41%
  2. 2USAUS$ 3.21 bn 9.8%
  3. 3Rep. of KoreaUS$ 2.35 bn 7.1%
  4. 4JapanUS$ 1.36 bn 4.1%
  5. 5EgyptUS$ 820 mn 2.5%
  6. 6IndonesiaUS$ 791 mn 2.4%
  7. 7Other Asia, nesUS$ 740 mn 2.3%
  8. 8Viet NamUS$ 676 mn 2.1%
  9. 9China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 671 mn 2%
  10. 10MalaysiaUS$ 644 mn 2%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

ChinaUS$ 12.9 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 12.9 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 4.9 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 4.9 bn
South KoreaUS$ 2.45 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 2.45 bn
JapanUS$ 1.54 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 1.54 bn
IndonesiaUS$ 641 mnIndia 21.2% · gap US$ 505 mn
CanadaUS$ 475 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 475 mn
FranceUS$ 467 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 467 mn
GermanyUS$ 415 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 415 mn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 626 mnIndia 39.1% · gap US$ 381 mn
United KingdomUS$ 363 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 363 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export buffalo meat (frozen)

APEDA describes India as the world’s largest buffalo meat exporter, with Brazil, the USA, Australia, Argentina and Canada as major exporters of bovine meat. Indian buffalo meat sells on price and its lean, halal profile to processors and food service in South-East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were the main markets in 2025-26. Access depends on veterinary agreements, plant listings and, since 2024, i-CAS halal certification for notified countries.

  1. 01Confirm market access

    Check that the importing country accepts Indian buffalo meat and which plants it lists.

  2. 02Choose a registered plant

    Buy only from an APEDA-registered integrated plant listed for that market.

  3. 03Agree cuts and certificates

    Fix the cut list, pack, halal body and health-certificate format with the buyer.

  4. 04Meet DGFT conditions

    Check current conditions, including i-CAS halal and the Meat Export Development Fund remittance.

  5. 05Certify and load

    Get the health and halal certificates, stuff pre-cooled reefers and record temperatures.

  6. 06Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting buffalo meat (frozen)

Can I export beef?
No. Export of meat of cows, oxen and calves is prohibited; only boneless buffalo meat from registered plants is allowed under conditions.
Which countries need i-CAS halal?
The countries notified under DGFT Notification 34/2024-25, plus 20 added by Notification 59/2025-26 (among them Egypt, Brunei, Kenya and Mauritius). Check the current list on DGFT.
Is there RoDTEP on buffalo meat?
No. Chapter 2 meat lines are not in Appendix 4R. Check drawback on the CBIC schedule.
Can a small trader start?
Only as a merchant exporter buying from a registered plant, with secure payment. Processing needs a large approved plant.
What is the Meat Export Development Fund?
A fund operated by APEDA. Since October 2025, DGFT has tied boneless bovine meat exports to a remittance into it — confirm the current rate and procedure with APEDA.
Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Buffalo Meat (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT Notification 59/2025-26 (9 Feb 2026) — i-CAS Halal for meat extended to 20 more countries
  3. DGFT Notification 28/2026-27 (5 Aug 2026) — Egypt transition for i-CAS Halal extended to nine months
  4. DGFT — Notifications (ITC(HS) export policy amendments)
  5. APEDA — DGFT notifications for APEDA products
  6. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)

Who buys Indian buffalo meat (frozen)

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