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This growth reflects government initiatives supporting dairy development, animal healthcare, and breeding programs, which are reducing livestock losses and promoting productivity
India’s beef production, predominantly carabeef (meat from Asian domestic water buffalo), is forecasted to reach 4.64 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2025, up from 4.57 MMT in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The projected growth is attributed to consistent domestic demand and increasing export opportunities.
Carabeef exports are expected to rise by 4 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by heightened demand from markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Domestic consumption is forecasted to remain steady at 2.99 MMT in both 2024 and 2025, constrained by concerns over food inflation.
The cattle herd size, which includes bovine cattle and Asian domestic water buffalo, is anticipated to remain stable at approximately 307 million head in 2025, while the calf crop is projected to see a slight increase to 71 million head. This growth reflects government initiatives supporting dairy development, animal healthcare, and breeding programs, which are reducing livestock losses and promoting productivity.
India’s carabeef exports for 2025 are projected at 1.65 MMT, marking a nearly 4 per cent increase from the estimated 1.58 MMT in 2024. Although exports to Egypt, a traditionally high-volume market, are expected to decline due to rising prices, other markets such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Iraq, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are driving growth. Smaller markets, including Oman, Senegal, Russia, and Uzbekistan, are also contributing to the upward trend.
The USDA highlights the role of India’s strong export performance and the country’s ability to meet global demand as key factors in sustaining the growth of its carabeef industry.