SRINAGAR: India’s meat exports rose to a record Rs 35,233.28 crore in 2024-25 even as shipment volumes remained above 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, with buffalo meat continuing to dominate overseas sales, the Government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Data tabled by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows that total meat exports stood at 12,74,011 metric tonnes during the year, up in value terms from Rs 31,764.77 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 26,289.80 crore in 2022-23, indicating a steady increase in export realisations.
Buffalo meat accounted for the overwhelming share of the trade. In 2024-25, buffalo meat exports alone were valued at Rs 34,392.36 crore out of the total Rs 35,233.28 crore, with shipments of 12,54,775 metric tonnes. Sheep and goat meat, poultry meat and processed meat constituted comparatively smaller shares.
The figures mark a sustained recovery and expansion in exports after the pandemic years. In 2020-21, exports had fallen to 10,97,724 metric tonnes valued at Rs 23,857.01 crore. Volumes subsequently rose to 11,90,162 metric tonnes in 2021-22, 11,91,348 metric tonnes in 2022-23 and 13,13,332 metric tonnes in 2023-24 before moderating slightly in 2024-25.
Over the longer term, exports have remained consistently above the 12 lakh tonne mark for most of the past decade, compared with 14,79,803 metric tonnes valued at Rs 27,217.91 crore in 2013-14 and 15,08,448 metric tonnes valued at Rs 30,200.72 crore in 2014-15.
Among importing countries, Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates continued to be the top destinations for Indian meat.
In 2024-25, these five markets together accounted for shipments of 8,41,726 metric tonnes valued at Rs 23,220.97 crore, representing the bulk of India’s overseas sales.
Vietnam remained the largest buyer, importing 2,18,720 metric tonnes worth Rs 6,266.82 crore during the year. Egypt followed with 2,15,724 metric tonnes valued at Rs 5,549.41 crore, while Malaysia imported 1,87,303 metric tonnes worth Rs 5,245.98 crore. Exports to the United Arab Emirates stood at 1,02,950 metric tonnes valued at Rs 3,115.22 crore, and Iraq imported 1,17,026 metric tonnes worth Rs 3,043.54 crore.
The value of exports to the top five destinations has more than doubled over the past four years, rising from Rs 10,633.17 crore in 2020-21 to over Rs 23,000 crore in 2024-25.
The Ministry stated that it maintains consolidated records of India’s total meat exports by year and category. However, state-wise export figures are not compiled, as such data is based on the state-of-origin codes reported by exporters in shipping bills and cannot be independently validated.
The information was provided in response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the volume, value and destination pattern of India’s meat exports since 2014.
