Buffalo meat exports from India are likely to fall, due to traders’ reluctance in bringing animals for slaughtering in registered abattoirs following a ban on certain kinds of cattle in Maharashtra and Haryana.
The other big challenge for Indian exporters is a sharp fall in the Brazilian Real, making meat exports from there much more competitive than India’s.
Brazil has been a major competitor to India in buffalo meat exports in many markets. Until recently, Indian meat was 25% cheaper than Brazilian meat; however, a steep fall in the Real over the past six months has meant that India has lost its competitive edge.
Meat has assumed top export commodity status in the agricultural commodity export basket as per data compiled by Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.