India’s Carabeef (Buffalo) Export Increased 9% in 2022

India’s Carabeef Export Economy and Livestock Industry

In marketing year (MY) 2022 (January-December), FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts India’s national cattle herd to reach 306.7 million animals, increasing by 1.2 million head from the 2021 tally. Herd numbers are seen increasing by less than one percent from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official 2021 estimate figure of 305.5 million head. India’s 2022 production of carabeef (meat derived from Indian water buffalo) and beef (zebu/cow) is forecast at 4.25 million metric tons (MMT), up by 250,000 metric tons (MT), an increase of over six percent from the USDA official 2021 estimate of 4 MMT. Despite the lashing that the Indian economy took during the COVID-19 second wave (March-May 2021), the country’s livestock meat industry still fared well. India’s 2022 carabeef/beef exports are forecast at 1.5 MMT, up nine percent from the USDA official 2021 estimate of 1.3 million metric tons.

India’s 2022 carabeef/beef exports are forecast to reach 1.5 MMT, up 125,000 MT and increasing by nine
percent from the USDA official 2021 estimate of 1.3 million metric tons. Based on Indian government export estimate reports (for January-April), Post is revising its 2021 New Post export estimate figure higher to 1.45 million metric tons. There has been an uptick in export volumes shipped to the Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and United Arab Emirates) and South Asia (Hong Kong, Philippines, and Malaysia).

Most Indian states’ legislation prohibits the slaughter of cattle (bovine-Cow) of all ages, including both female and male calves. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Delhi (union territory) all prohibit cattle slaughter, including that of bulls and bullocks of all ages.

The Indian states of Assam and West Bengal do permit cattle (bovine) slaughter if the animal is at least 14-years of age and receives a ‘fit-for-slaughter’ certificate from the local state authorities. Kerala also allows for cattle slaughter for animals that are unfit for work, cannot breed, or are permanently injured and over 10-years old. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Lakshadweep (union territory) have not enacted any regulations, or laws that address or specifically prohibit cattle slaughter.

Most states that prohibit cattle (bovine – Goru) slaughter can arrest an alleged perpetrator without a warrant. Delhi, Goa, Puducherry, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh can also deny bail GAIN-INDIA -IN5085- Cattle Slaughter Legislations.

Indian carabeef is sought out as it complements other meats (e.g., pork, poultry, sheep/lamb, mutton/goat) well in combined meat offerings. It is used also as an ingredient in value-added products (e.g., sausage, salami, and hamburgers). Although most of India’s Hindu-majority population forgoes carabeef and beef consumption, the country’s Muslim and Christian populations do consume it in volume.

Livestock and Products Annual Report – 2021

Indian carabeef exports (buffalo) in the January-April 2021 period at 447,277 MT are up 91,665 MT, an increase of almost 26 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Exports to major destinations including Egypt, Malaysia, and Hong Kong show good increases in volumes. However, exports to Vietnam have declined from 78,426 MT to 60,994 MT due to stricter border inspections and controls imposed on Indian meat being imported and trans-shipped from other countries during the COVID-19 second wave (March-May 2021).

Indian Carabeef Economy and Cattle Slaughter Legislation Network

Core Knowledge Cluster

Central Node: Indian Livestock Economy

The Indian livestock economy forms a complex network connecting agriculture, religion, law, trade, food systems, rural livelihoods, and international markets.

Key linked concepts:

Cattle Herd Expansion
Carabeef Industry
Export-Oriented Meat Economy
State-Level Slaughter Laws
Religious Food Culture
Buffalo vs Cow Distinction
COVID-19 Economic Resilience
Global Protein Supply Chains

Cattle Population Cluster

India’s Expanding Cattle Herd

India’s national cattle herd in MY 2022 is forecast at 306.7 million head.

Connected concepts:

Dairy Economy
Draft Animal Economy
Rural Asset Systems
Breed Management
Agricultural Livelihoods
Buffalo Husbandry
Meat Processing Sector

Cross-links:

Links to Export Growth because herd expansion increases slaughter-ready surplus.
Links to Religious Regulation because legal frameworks determine usable livestock categories.
Links to Rural Economics because cattle function as both productive and symbolic assets.

Buffalo vs Cow Distinction Cluster

Carabeef as Buffalo Meat

Indian “carabeef” primarily refers to meat derived from water buffalo, not cow slaughter.

Connected concepts:

Water Buffalo Husbandry
Halal Meat Trade
Export Certification
Religious Sensitivity
Meat Processing Industry

Cross-links:

Links to Hindu Dietary Practices because buffalo meat is socially less contentious than cow meat.
Links to Export Markets because importing nations largely demand buffalo meat.
Links to Slaughter Laws because many laws distinguish cows from buffalo.

Beef and Carabeef Production Cluster

Rising Meat Production

India’s 2022 beef/carabeef production forecast:

4.25 MMT
Increase of over 6 percent from 2021

Connected concepts:

Industrial Meat Processing
Livestock Supply Chains
Protein Markets
Cold Chain Infrastructure
Export Slaughterhouses

Cross-links:

Links to COVID-19 Recovery because the meat industry remained resilient during economic contraction.
Links to Export Expansion because production growth supports overseas demand.
Links to State Regulation because slaughter restrictions affect production geography.

Export Economy Cluster

India as a Major Carabeef Exporter

India’s 2022 exports forecast:

1.5 MMT
9 percent increase over USDA 2021 estimates

Connected concepts:

International Meat Trade
Gulf Market Demand
South Asian Protein Imports
Foreign Exchange Earnings
Agricultural Exports

Cross-links:

Links to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Malaysia, Philippines, and Hong Kong as primary destination markets.
Links to Halal Certification systems.
Links to Maritime Trade Infrastructure.
Links to Global Food Security.