The shipment of bovine semen from Brazil to India marks a significant boost to sales in the global market. Alta Genetics, a leading company in cattle genetic improvement, has exported 40,000 doses of Gir dairy breed semen to India, tapping into the potential of the world’s largest milk-producing nation.
The move is seen as a promising development for Brazilian exports of bovine semen, especially with the opening of the Indian market. Cristiano Botelho, Executive Director of the Brazilian Association of Artificial Insemination (Asbia), views this as a stepping stone towards securing more orders from India and neighboring countries.
Currently, the majority of Brazil’s bovine semen shipments are directed to countries such as Bolivia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay. Notably, 90% of these exports consist of pure zebu breeds or zebu crosses, which are highly favoured in India.
Despite a slight decrease in exports last year compared to 2022, there has been a notable recovery in total sales of bovine semen, particularly in the fourth quarter. Botelho attributes this resurgence to a growing optimism among cattle ranchers, especially in the beef farming sector, regarding improved profitability.
Alta Genetics anticipates a 4 percent to 5 percent growth in the domestic market this year, along with potential new orders from India. The country’s ambitious goal of increasing milk production to over 300 billion litres annually within a decade underscores the importance of investing in genetic improvement.
Negotiations with India for the initial shipment spanned four years, with the collection process alone lasting two years. Stringent requirements set by Indian authorities, including extensive testing for diseases not prevalent in Brazil, posed challenges that needed to be addressed.
According to Brazil based Globo Rural, only four bulls were selected for export, meeting all the stringent criteria set by Indian cooperatives and government regulations. Factors such as temperament, Beta-Casein A2A2 genotyping, and genetic diversity were carefully considered in the selection process.
In the report Heverardo Carvalho, Director of Alta Genetics, emphasizes the strictness required in meeting Indian requirements, including extensive testing and waiting periods. Despite the challenges, the successful export underscores the potential for further collaboration and growth in the India-Brazil bovine semen trade.