To expand market access, the government has decided to set up a meat export development fund in collaboration with industry under the commerce ministry’s agricultural and processed food products development authority (APEDA).
In line with creation of Basmati Export Development Fund which was set up a decade back, the exporter of frozen buffalo meat will have to pay a fee of Rs 250/tonne towards creation of the fund which would be used for global market expansion and other trade promotion activities.
Export fee on meat exports to start from October 29
The exports of chilled and frozen meat products will be allowed only after payment of fee by the exporters. The fund would operate from October 29, 2025.
“The fund would support research in dealing with several non-tariff barriers we face in the global market,” Fauzan Alavi, vice-president, All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association, told FE.
Alavi said that this fund is similar to the National Meat Institute of Uruguay, and Brazilian Beef Exporters Associations (ABiAC) which will help exporters reach new markets for our high quality affordable product.
India exported boneless buffalo meat valued at $ 4.06 billion in FY25. Buffalo meat shipment is the second biggest commodity after Basmati rice in terms of value of shipment in the APEDA basket.
The shipment of buffalo meat, dairy and poultry products during April – August, 2025-26 , increased sharply by over 20% to $ 2.17 billion on year.
Industry sources said that there are around 80 buffalo meat exporting units registered with the APEDA, located mostly in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Fund to boost export promotion
An official said that funds will be utilised for activities relating to exports promotion through expanding market access, promoting research and development in product development and promotion of value addition in the sector.
The fund would allow stakeholders to engage in meat export promotional activities via setting up exclusive pavilion in major global food fairs like Gulfood, ANUGA (general food and drink trade fair), Germany, Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL), France etc
India has emerged as the second biggest exporter of buffalo meat globally, while the shipments are to majorily to countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
However India has market access to 70 odd countries.
Officials said that in the past decade, there has been a rise in demand for the Indian bovine meat across the globe due to its quality and nutrient value.
APEDA coordinates boneless buffalo meat exports through approved integrated meat plants and these plants are inspected by importing countries.
The buffalo meat is exported in accordance with World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for any risk mitigation, according to an official note. Only boneless buffalo meat is allowed for export from India.