Buffalo meat exports hit hard as livestock auction gets stuck in lockdown

Firms seek clarity on livestock markets in states, they see momentum by end of june

India’s buffalo meat exports — the country second biggest agri-commodity export basket which netted $ 3.6 billion in 2018-19 — is one of the worst-hit segments following the imposition of a nationwide lockdown.

Livestock auctions remained on hold for the majority of the lockdown as there was no clarity on the matter. Exporters don’t have the raw material for processing despite demand for buffalo meat. 

Since processing was on hold, the supply of tallow was also disrupted. India is a major exporter of tallow despite a large domestic demand.

Even the supply of gelatine — a by-product of meat and leather industries —