Livestock product exports up 44% in April-August

India’s exports of livestock products registered a 44 per cent growth to over $3.132 billion during April-August of the current financial year, driven by strong demand for buffalo meat and other products. In the same period last year, exports stood at $2.177 billion.

As per the Commerce Ministry’s quick estimates, exports of meat, dairy and poultry products in August 2026 touched $694 million, up 37.1 per cent from $506 million in the same month last year. A category-wise break-up of the latest export figures for buffalo meat, dairy and poultry products was not available.

Stakeholders said much of the growth in livestock product exports was driven by strong demand for Indian buffalo meat from Vietnam, Malaysia and other markets. “The 44% rise in India’s animal product exports to $3.1 billion during April-August is a clear indication that global demand for Indian livestock products is strengthening.

Buffalo meat continues to be a key driver of this trade, while poultry, dairy, eggs and other animal-origin products are also contributing to the growth,” said Divya Kumar Gulati, Chairman, CLFMA of India, the apex trade body of livestock feed makers.

“India has built a strong presence across markets such as Vietnam, Egypt, the UAE, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, which together reflect the growing acceptance of Indian animal products across Southeast Asia, West Asia and Africa.

The current growth is being supported by competitive pricing, consistent demand from overseas markets and improving export infrastructure and quality compliance. The opportunity now is to take this momentum beyond a few major products and markets by expanding the export basket, strengthening traceability and meeting the evolving quality requirements of global buyers.

This can create a larger and more stable export opportunity for the entire livestock value chain, including farmers,” Gulati added. During 2025-26, India’s livestock product exports registered a 22 per cent growth to $6.215 billion, from $5.096 billion in the previous year.

Sources in the dairy sector said shipments of ghee and, to some extent, skimmed milk powder contributed to the growth. “There has been a demand for dairy fat (ghee) over the past few months and that could have contributed to the growth in dairy exports,” sources said.

As far as poultry exports are concerned, India mainly exports eggs and egg powder. Poultry meat exports are not viable as the domestic cost of production is high. “Poultry exports were impacted by the war in West Asia and shipments had come to a standstill during April-May this year.

Over the past couple of months, exports have resumed slowly, but normalcy is not fully restored,” said Valsan Parameswaran, Secretary, All India Poultry Products Exporters Association.