India's buffalo meat exports grew 25.6% to $5.1 billion in 2025–26, making it the country's best-performing agricultural export. In April–June 2026, exports jumped 66.6% to nearly $1.5 billion, and the average value rose to $4,392 per tonne. Besides Vietnam and Malaysia, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq and Russia have emerged as key buyers. India has 83 APEDA-approved integrated abattoirs-cum-meat processing plants. The trade also helps dairy farmers by creating a market for old or low-yielding buffaloes, letting them replace these with productive animals.