Key facts
- India exported US$4,061 million of buffalo meat in FY2024-25 (apeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: Vietnam 18.24%; Egypt 16.16%; Malaysia 15.21% (then Iraq, Saudi Arabia)
- 3 production clusters mapped, in Andhra Pradesh; Gujarat; Odisha; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal, Gujarat; Kerala; Maharashtra; Karnataka; TN, Uttar Pradesh; Maharashtra; Telangana; Punjab.
- Market guides for 16 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, EIC export health certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 40' reefer (about 26-27 MT) per order; some plants accept 20' reefers (typical).
Product overview
India is one of the world's largest exporters of bovine meat, all of it from water buffalo (carabeef). APEDA reports FY2024-25 exports of US$ 4,061 million (about 1.25 million tonnes), led by Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Export is permitted only from APEDA-registered integrated abattoirs and meat-processing plants, which carry out ante- and post-mortem inspection, deboning, maturation and blast freezing. Meat is halal-slaughtered and certified by bodies recognised in the destination market. Most plants are in Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh, Unnao, Ghaziabad, Meerut), Maharashtra, Telangana and Punjab.
Buyers order by cut (topside, silverside, knuckle, outside flat, striploin, tenderloin, shin/shank, forequarter and trimmings by chemical lean %), carton weight and frozen-storage specification. Indian buffalo meat is valued as a lean, price-competitive raw material for processing, catering and wet markets.
HS note: Indian export is of buffalo meat only (beef from cows is prohibited). Chilled boneless is 0201 30; offal 0206.
Specifications
| Core temperature at loading | -18 °C or colder (typical) |
|---|---|
| Chemical lean (trimmings) | 65 / 80 / 85 / 90 CL (typical) |
| Packing | Individually poly-wrapped cuts in 20 kg (approx.) master cartons (typical) |
| Slaughter | Halal, under recognised halal-certifier supervision |
| Microbiology | Per destination standard (TPC, E. coli, Salmonella absent in 25 g) (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Hindquarter primal cuts
Topside, silverside, knuckle, rump, striploin, tenderloin.
Forequarter cuts
Chuck, blade, brisket, clod - processing and stewing.
Shin / shank
Bone-out shank for soups and stews.
Trimmings (CL 65-90)
Manufacturing meat for burgers, sausages, kebabs and canned meat.
Compensated / mixed cuts
Blended carton assortments at a single price - common for Egypt, Iraq and Vietnam.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cartons | About 20 kg net master cartons, poly-lined, cuts individually wrapped | Plant number and halal mark on every carton |
| Retail | Vacuum-packed portions on request | Plant capability dependent |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-25 MT in a 20' reefer · 40' HC about 26-28 MT in a 40' HC reefer. Reefer at -18 °C; payload limit 30.5 t for 40' HC reefer (ONE)
Customisation: Buyer-specified cuts, carton weights, labelling in destination language
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Uttar Pradesh
Aligarh, Unnao, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Agra
Largest concentration of APEDA-registered integrated abattoirs
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Thane, Aurangabad
Plants supplying via JNPA
Telangana
Hyderabad, Medak
Integrated plants
Punjab
Mohali (Dera Bassi)
Integrated plant
Market requirements by region
Gulf (GCC)
Saudi Arabia accepts halal certificates only from Saudi Halal Center-accredited bodies (Nov-2023 circular) and requires plant approval and an import permit; UAE requires MoIAT-recognised halal certification.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam (18.24%) and Malaysia (15.21%) are the top two markets (APEDA FY2024-25). Malaysia accepts only DVS-approved plants and JAKIM-recognised halal certification; recognition lists can change.
Africa
Egypt (16.16% share, APEDA FY2024-25) buys large volumes of compensated frozen cuts; plant approval and halal supervision by an Egypt-recognised body are required - verify the current approved-plant list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Export of beef (cow, oxen, calf) is prohibited; frozen/chilled boneless buffalo meat is permitted only from APEDA-registered abattoirs/plants with the associated certification. Bone-in buffalo meat is generally not permitted - verify current DGFT ITC(HS) Schedule 2 conditions before quoting.
Quality control
- • APEDA-registered plant with veterinary inspection
- • Halal certificate per consignment from a destination-recognised certifier
- • Microbiology and residue test report
- • Temperature log and reefer pre-trip inspection
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • EIC export health certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • SFDA registration
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Veterinary health certificate
- • Halal certificate and halal slaughter certificate
- • APEDA plant registration reference
- • Certificate of analysis (microbiology)
- • Temperature record
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Buffalo meat (frozen) | 4,061 | verified | apeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: Vietnam 18.24%; Egypt 16.16%; Malaysia 15.21% (then Iraq, Saudi Arabia)
Export markets
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Saudi Arabia
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Oman
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Tanzania
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Kenya
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Malaysia
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Vietnam
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Egypt
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to Singapore
- Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat exporter to South Africa
Frequently asked questions
Is Indian bovine meat beef?
Indian exports are buffalo meat (carabeef) only; export of cow beef is prohibited under Indian policy.
Which halal certificate do you provide?
Each consignment carries a halal certificate from a body recognised by the importing country - for example Saudi Halal Center-accredited bodies for Saudi Arabia and JAKIM-recognised bodies for Malaysia.
Can you supply bone-in buffalo meat?
Indian policy permits boneless buffalo meat; bone-in product is generally not exportable.
How much meat fits in a 40-foot reefer?
About 26-28 MT of cartoned frozen meat is typical, depending on carton weight and the reefer's payload.
What is the shelf life of frozen buffalo meat?
Typically 12-18 months when held continuously at -18 °C or colder.
Request a quote for Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat (Halal)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
