India likely to become world's largest beef exporter--primarily buffalo meat--by 2013, driven by strong demand from Asia, Africa, USDA says; India's buffalo meat exports forecast to rise 25% year-over-year to 1.52 million tonnes in 2012

Andrew Rogers

LOS ANGELES , April 9, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – India will likely become the world’s largest beef exporter, primarily buffalo meat, by 2013, amid strong demand from price sensitive importers in Southeast Asia, West Asia and Africa, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Business Standard reported April 8.

The country’s surge in export growth is likely to make India the largest beef exporter by 2013, if not earlier, according to the USDA.

The growth in exports is being driven by strong demand from price sensitive importers including Vietnam and Southeast Asia, West Africa, and Africa, leading to an increase in export production units to help meet the growing demand for India’s low-cost buffalo meat, the agency said.

India’s buffalo meat exports forecast to increase 25% year-over-year to 1.52 million tonnes in 2012, the USDA said.

The country’s move toward becoming the world’s largest beef exporter could be hindered by Food and Mouth Disease, according to the USDA.

Rumors of new marketing openings in Eastern Europe and Indonesia have been swirling but there are no known trade transactions in those areas, and India’s Food and Mouth Disease status makes trade unlikely, the USDA said.

Exporters in India have put into place voluntary vaccination programs to fight Food and Mouth Disease, while the government has invested 4 billion rupees (US$781.07 million) to fight the malady.

The programs are an important step, but the disease is a significant stumbling block in expanding market access, the USDA said.

The primary source of this article is Business Standard, New Delhi, India, on April 8, 2012.

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