India Export Beef To Which Countries? Top Indian Beef Exporting Partners

Key Takeaways

• India export beef to which countries? As stated by yTrade trade data, the top 3 Indian beef exporting countries are Vietnam (US$977.1 million), Malaysia (US$793.5 million), and Egypt (US$727.9 million) led India's carabeef (buffalo meat) exports in 2025
• Total India beef export value reached approximately US$5.9 billion in 2025 under HS 02, with frozen boneless bovine meat (HS 020230) representing the dominant product across all major destinations
• India exports buffalo meat (carabeef) — not cow meat. Cow slaughter is banned in most Indian states, and beef exports by country India data refers exclusively to water buffalo meat shipped to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

India beef export figures in this article are sourced from yTrade**, which processes 1 million+ data points daily from customs and government trade authorities across 200+ countries.

India Export Beef To Which Countries? Top Indian Beef Exporting Partners

India exports beef to Vietnam (US$977.1 million), Malaysia (US$793.5 million), and Egypt (US$727.9 million) as its top three partners in 2025. According to India's HS 02 trade data on yTrade, the top 10 destinations together absorbed US$5.18 billion in Indian buffalo meat (carabeef) shipments, with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa forming the core export geography.

In fact, India is the world's third-largest beef exporter behind Brazil and Australia, despite shipping exclusively buffalo meat. According to USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, India's beef exports are forecast at 1.55 million metric tons in 2026 — up 1% from 1.54 MMT in 2025 — supported by a 307.5 million-strong national cattle herd, the largest in the world.

Top 5 Indian beef exporting partners in 2025:

• Vietnam — US$977.1 million (16.58%): Largest single importer of Indian carabeef, primarily for re-processing and onward distribution into Southeast Asian markets
• Malaysia — US$793.5 million (13.47%): Key halal-certified market where Indian buffalo meat anchors the Muslim-majority protein supply chain
• Egypt — US$727.9 million (12.35%): Africa's largest Indian beef destination, with frozen boneless cuts feeding Egyptian food processing and retail
• United Arab Emirates — US$645.7 million (10.96%): Gulf hub absorbing fresh, chilled, and frozen Indian beef for both domestic consumption and re-export across MENA
• Saudi Arabia — US$434.4 million (7.37%): Strict halal-compliance market where Indian carabeef serves expatriate-heavy foodservice and processing sectors

Rank	Country	Value (US$)	Share %	Economic Importance
1	Vietnam	$977.1M	16.58%	Top importer of Indian frozen boneless bovine meat products.
2	Malaysia	$793.5M	13.47%	Major Southeast Asian market for halal-certified Indian buffalo meat.
3	Egypt	$727.9M	12.35%	Primary African destination for Indian frozen boneless beef shipments.
4	United Arab Emirates	$645.7M	10.96%	Key Middle Eastern hub for fresh, chilled, and frozen meat imports.
5	Saudi Arabia	$434.4M	7.37%	Significant Gulf market with strict halal and quality compliance standards.
6	Iraq	$342.1M	5.81%	Growing Middle Eastern destination for competitive frozen meat products.
7	Uzbekistan	$330.3M	5.60%	Emerging Central Asian market for cost-effective frozen meat supplies.
8	Indonesia	$316.1M	5.36%	Large-volume, highly regulated market for Indian halal carabeef.
9	Philippines	$221.6M	3.76%	Major East Asian buyer of frozen buffalo meat for processing.
10	Russia	$158.1M	2.68%	Strategic Euro-Asian market importing specific frozen meat cuts.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

Discover every Indian beef shipment by HS code, exporter, and importer on yTrade. The platform aggregates 5 billion+ verified trade records across 200+ countries. Access now to unlock deeper trade data.

Top 1 Indian Beef Export Partner: Vietnam — US$977.1 Million

Vietnam is the largest destination for India export cow beef to which countries — though as noted, the product is buffalo meat. Vietnam imported US$977.1 million in Indian beef during 2025, with frozen boneless bovine meat (HS 020230) accounting for 76.74% of bilateral trade.

• HS 020230 — Frozen boneless bovine meat: US$749.8 million (76.74%) — Core product, supplying Vietnamese processors, foodservice operators, and re-exporters
• HS 020629 — Frozen edible bovine offal (excluding tongues and livers): US$217.3 million (22.24%) — Significant secondary trade serving Vietnamese culinary preferences for offal-based dishes
• HS 020621 — Frozen edible tongues of bovine animals: US$5.2 million (0.53%) — Specialty offal category with niche demand
• HS 020610 — Fresh/chilled edible offal of bovine animals: US$4.1 million (0.42%) — Limited fresh trade due to logistical constraints
• HS 020714 — Frozen cuts and offal of poultry: minor category contributing to Vietnam's diversified protein procurement

Rank	6-Digit HS Code	Value (US$)	Share %	Product Description
1	020230	$749.8M	76.74%	Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals.
2	020629	$217.3M	22.24%	Frozen edible offal of bovine animals (excluding tongues and livers).
3	020621	$5.2M	0.53%	Frozen edible tongues of bovine animals.
4	020610	$4.1M	0.42%	Fresh or chilled edible offal of bovine animals.
5	020714	$497.7k	0.05%	Frozen cuts and offal of poultry.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

Vietnam's role in the India beef export trade extends beyond domestic consumption. A significant share of Indian carabeef entering Vietnam is re-exported, often to China through informal cross-border channels, making Vietnam both an end-market and a transit hub.

Key dynamics in India-Vietnam beef trade:

• Re-export gateway — Vietnam's geographic proximity to China, combined with restricted official Indian beef imports into China, makes Hanoi the primary indirect supply channel for Chinese demand
• Offal premium — Indian beef offal at US$217.3 million represents one of the world's largest single bilateral offal trades, reflecting Vietnamese culinary demand for liver, kidney, and tripe
• Processing capacity — Vietnamese meat processors purchase Indian carabeef as raw material for frozen ready-meal production and food manufacturing

Want to see how India's broader trade with major markets is shifting? Read India's full export breakdown to China

, with petroleum, electronics, and seafood are top exports and the 22% YoY surge in H1 FY26 and the new product categories entering the basket.

Top 2 Indian Beef Export Partner: Malaysia — US$793.5 Million

Malaysia ranks as India's second-largest beef export partner at US$793.5 million in 2025, with the trade overwhelmingly concentrated in frozen boneless bovine meat. Malaysia's halal certification requirements align with India's halal-compliant carabeef supply chains, creating a structurally complementary trade relationship.

• HS 020230 — Frozen boneless bovine meat: US$767.3 million (96.71%) — Near-total concentration, supplying Malaysia's halal-certified foodservice and processing industries
• HS 020629 — Frozen edible bovine offal: US$24.4 million (3.08%) — Secondary product for Malaysian retail and Chinese-Malaysian culinary segments
• HS 020622 — Frozen edible livers of bovine animals: US$1.1 million (0.14%) — Premium offal category
• HS 020621 — Frozen edible tongues of bovine animals: niche specialty offal trade
• HS 020714 — Frozen cuts and offal of poultry: minor category complementing core bovine trade

Rank	6-Digit HS Code	Value (US$)	Share %	Product Description
1	020230	$767.3M	96.71%	Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals.
2	020629	$24.4M	3.08%	Frozen edible offal of bovine animals (excluding tongues and livers).
3	020622	$1.1M	0.14%	Frozen edible livers of bovine animals.
4	020621	$461.4k	0.06%	Frozen edible tongues of bovine animals.
5	020714	$131.0k	0.02%	Frozen cuts and offal of poultry.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

Malaysia's near-exclusive focus on HS 020230 reflects the country's status as a major halal protein importer with a Muslim-majority population requiring strict sharia-compliant meat supply.

Key dynamics in India-Malaysia beef trade:

• Halal alignment — Indian abattoirs holding JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) certification dominate the bilateral trade, with halal compliance functioning as both quality assurance and de facto market access
• Processing demand — Malaysian food processors use Indian carabeef as raw material for sausages, meatballs, frozen ready-meals, and exported processed products
• Price competitiveness — Indian buffalo meat lands in Kuala Lumpur at roughly 30–40% below Brazilian or Australian beef equivalents, making it the default choice for cost-sensitive mass markets

Curious how India's beef export scale compares against its halal-supply neighbours? Explore Pakistan's full meat export breakdown by HS code, destination, and buyer — covering US$499.44 million in 2025 trade, Pakistan's Gulf market concentration, and the US$200M Malaysia deal reshaping the region.

Top 3 Indian Beef Export Partner: Egypt — US$727.9 Million

Egypt is India's largest African beef destination at US$727.9 million in 2025, with the trade structurally similar to Malaysia — overwhelmingly concentrated in frozen boneless bovine meat at 95.92% of value.

• HS 020230 — Frozen boneless bovine meat: US$698.3 million (95.92%) — Anchors Egypt's protein supply and food processing sectors
• HS 020629 — Frozen edible bovine offal: US$17.3 million (2.37%) — Supplementary offal trade for Egyptian retail
• HS 020622 — Frozen edible bovine livers: US$12.1 million (1.66%) — Premium offal category with strong Egyptian demand
• HS 020610 — Fresh/chilled edible offal of bovine animals: minor fresh trade
• HS 020714 — Frozen cuts and offal of poultry: minor secondary protein category

Rank	6-Digit HS Code	Value (US$)	Share %	Product Description
1	020230	$698.3M	95.92%	Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals.
2	020629	$17.3M	2.37%	Frozen edible offal of bovine animals (excluding tongues and livers).
3	020622	$12.1M	1.66%	Frozen edible livers of bovine animals.
4	020610	$265.6k	0.04%	Fresh or chilled edible offal of bovine animals.
5	020714	$56.0k	0.01%	Frozen cuts and offal of poultry.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

Egypt's heavy reliance on Indian carabeef has continued through 2025 despite ongoing currency pressures and import financing challenges that affected other commodity flows.

Key dynamics in India-Egypt beef trade:

• Subsidy-driven demand — Egypt's state-subsidized food programs source affordable protein from India to feed the country's 110 million-strong population
• Price sensitivity — Egyptian buyers prioritize landed cost, and Indian buffalo meat consistently undercuts Brazilian and Argentine alternatives
• USDA outlook — Egypt's import demand for Indian carabeef is forecast to face headwinds in 2026 due to high domestic production and elevated freight costs — though it remains a top-three market

Identify which Indian exporters supply Egypt's largest food importers on yTrade. This feature allows filter shipments by HS code, value, and buyer to build your sourcing or competitor map.

Top 4 Indian Beef Export Partner: United Arab Emirates — US$645.7 Million

The UAE imported US$645.7 million in Indian beef during 2025, with a more diversified product mix than other top destinations. While frozen boneless beef still leads at 62.33%, the UAE also imports meaningful volumes of fresh and chilled sheep, lamb, and bovine cuts.

• HS 020230 — Frozen boneless bovine meat: US$402.5 million (62.33%) — Primary category, serving UAE retail and foodservice
• HS 020421 — Fresh/chilled sheep carcasses or half-carcasses: US$138.9 million (21.51%) — Significant sheep trade reflecting UAE's demand for fresh mutton
• HS 020130 — Fresh/chilled boneless bovine meat: US$75.4 million (11.68%) — Premium fresh segment for high-end UAE retail and hotels
• HS 020410 — Fresh/chilled lamb carcasses or half-carcasses: US$15.7 million (2.44%) — Smaller fresh lamb category
• HS 020629 — Frozen edible bovine offal: US$10.6 million (1.64%) — Offal trade for UAE's diverse expatriate culinary segments

Rank	6-Digit HS Code	Value (US$)	Share %	Shipment	Product Description
1	020230	$402.5M	62.33%	4,114	Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals.
2	020421	$138.9M	21.51%	15,678	Fresh or chilled sheep carcasses or half-carcasses.
3	020130	$75.4M	11.68%	11,305	Fresh or chilled boneless meat of bovine animals.
4	020410	$15.7M	2.44%	1,206	Fresh or chilled lamb carcasses or half-carcasses.
5	020629	$10.6M	1.64%	87	Frozen edible offal of bovine animals (excluding tongues and livers).

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

The UAE's broader product mix reflects its role as a sophisticated regional food hub serving both domestic affluent demand and re-export flows across the GCC and MENA.

Key dynamics in India-UAE beef trade:

• Re-export amplifier — A significant share of Indian beef entering UAE ports is redistributed to Oman, Saudi Arabia (overland), and East Africa
• Hospitality demand — Dubai and Abu Dhabi's expansive hotel, restaurant, and catering sectors require premium fresh and chilled cuts that command higher margins than frozen bulk product
• Multi-protein sourcing — Beyond carabeef, India ships substantial volumes of sheep and lamb to the UAE, making the bilateral relationship the most product-diverse among India's top five beef partners

Top 5 Indian Beef Export Partner: Saudi Arabia — US$434.4 Million

Saudi Arabia ranks fifth in beef exports by country India data at US$434.4 million in 2025. Frozen boneless bovine meat dominates at 88.39%, with fresh/chilled boneless beef contributing a meaningful 11.15%, the highest fresh-product share among India's top five destinations after the UAE.

• HS 020230 — Frozen boneless bovine meat: US$384.0 million (88.39%) — Core product for Saudi food processing and foodservice
• HS 020130 — Fresh/chilled boneless bovine meat: US$48.4 million (11.15%) — Premium fresh segment serving Saudi hotels, restaurants, and high-end retail
• HS 020421 — Fresh/chilled sheep carcasses or half-carcasses: US$1.1 million (0.24%) — Limited sheep trade
• HS 020441 — Frozen sheep carcasses or half-carcasses: niche frozen sheep category
• HS 020410 — Fresh/chilled lamb carcasses or half-carcasses: minor lamb trade

Rank	6-Digit HS Code	Value (US$)	Share %	Shipment	Product Description
1	020230	$384.0M	88.39%	4,656	Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals.
2	020130	$48.4M	11.15%	5,390	Fresh or chilled boneless meat of bovine animals.
3	020421	$1.1M	0.24%	78	Fresh or chilled sheep carcasses or half-carcasses.
4	020441	$483.0k	0.11%	8	Frozen sheep carcasses or half-carcasses.
5	020410	$266.5k	0.06%	188	Fresh or chilled lamb carcasses or half-carcasses.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

Saudi Arabia's strict halal compliance and food safety standards make it one of the most demanding markets for Indian exporters, but successful Indian abattoirs that achieve SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) certification gain access to one of the world's highest per-capita protein consumption markets.

Key dynamics in India-Saudi beef trade:

• Vision 2030 food security — Saudi Arabia's diversification of protein imports away from a small number of suppliers benefits Indian exporters meeting SPS requirements
• Hajj and Umrah demand — Religious pilgrimage seasons generate cyclical demand spikes that align with Indian carabeef supply patterns
• Compliance moat — Certification barriers make Saudi market entry difficult for new Indian exporters, but the entrenched suppliers enjoy long-term contract stability

yTrade's trade activity intelligence tracks every India-Saudi beef shipment as it happens, revealing which exporters are scaling and which buyers are increasing procurement. Discover in-depth yTrade capability.

India Beef Export Growth Trends (Q1/2025 - Q1/2026)

India beef exports grew sharply in Q4 2025 by 29.2% quarter-on-quarter, the largest single-quarter rebound of the year, before contracting 12.6% in Q1 2026.

The peak change occurred in Q4 2025, with total trade value rising to US$1.55 billion from Q3 2025's US$1.20 billion (+US$354 million). The sharpest decline was Q2 2025, where value fell 17.9% from Q1 2025's peak of US$1.73 billion.

• Q1 2025 — US$1.73 billion (+3.7% QoQ): Strongest quarter of the period, with trade value rising despite a minor shipment dip
• Q2 2025 — US$1.42 billion (-17.9% QoQ): Significant contraction as value fell 17.9% and shipments dropped
• Q3 2025 — US$1.20 billion (-15.3% QoQ): Sharp 26.8% shipment decline pulled trade value down further
• Q4 2025 — US$1.55 billion (+29.2% QoQ): Strong rebound driven by a 29.2% surge in total value, reflecting renewed Southeast Asian and Gulf demand
• Q1 2026 — US$1.36 billion (-12.6% QoQ): Double-digit contractions hit both trade value and shipment volumes

Timeline	Value (US$)	QoQ %	Shipment	Description
Q1 2025	$1.73B	3.7%	37,063	Trade value rose 3.7% despite a minor dip in shipments.
Q2 2025	$1.42B	-17.9%	32,821	Significant contraction as value fell 17.9% and shipments dropped.
Q3 2025	$1.20B	-15.3%	24,025	Sharp 26.8% shipment decline pulled trade value down further.
Q4 2025	$1.55B	29.2%	25,664	Strong rebound driven by a 29.2% surge in total value.
Q1 2026	$1.36B	-12.6%	21,303	Double-digit contractions hit both trade value and shipment volumes.

Data Source: ytrade.com Period: January-December 2025 HS Code Range: 02

The Q4 2025 spike-then-decline pattern reflects the seasonality of Indian beef trade, with year-end procurement by Asian importers driving volume ahead of supply chain reset in Q1.

Key dynamics shaping India's beef export trajectory:

• Indonesia, Vietnam, Iraq weakness — According to USDA, India's lower-than-expected 2025 exports trace primarily to sluggish demand from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Iraq, where competing supply from Brazil and Australia gained share
• Russia emergence — Russia entered India's top 10 at US$158.1 million in 2025 as Moscow seeks alternative protein suppliers amid Western sanctions
• Production base intact — India's 307.5 million-strong cattle herd and 41.41 million slaughter-ready buffalo provide ample exportable supply, meaning supply-side capacity is not the constraint
• Competing exporters — Brazil and Australia continue gaining share in higher-value markets where Indian carabeef cannot compete on quality despite price advantages

yTrade's solutions for exporters help Indian beef exporters monitor competitor shipments, identify emerging buyers, and benchmark pricing across global markets, turning trade data into actionable export strategy. Explore now.

Conclusion

India export beef to which countries question is led by Vietnam (US$977.1 million), Malaysia (US$793.5 million), and Egypt (US$727.9 million) in 2025 — together accounting for over 42% of India's US$5.9 billion buffalo meat (carabeef) export value. With Q1 2026 trade at US$1.36 billion and USDA projecting steady 1.55 MMT export volume for 2026, India remains the world's third-largest beef exporter despite shipping exclusively water buffalo meat.

Use yTrade to get access to every India beef shipment by HS code, country, and exporter, backed by 5 billion+ verified trade records across 200+ countries on the world's most affordable trade data platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is India the 2nd largest beef exporter?

India ranks among the world's top beef exporters because it produces and ships water buffalo meat (carabeef) rather than cow beef. With a 307.5 million-strong cattle herd — the largest globally — and 41.41 million slaughter-ready buffaloes, India offers competitively priced halal-certified carabeef that dominates Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and African markets.

Who is India's largest exporter of beef?

According to industry reports, Allanasons Private Limited is India's largest beef exporter, followed by HMA Agro Industries Pvt Ltd and Fair Exports (India) Private Limited. These three companies collectively account for a significant share of India's US$5.9 billion buffalo meat export value.

Get the list of top verified beef exporters in India on yTrade.

How much beef is exported from India to Vietnam?

Based on yTrade trade data, India exported US$977.1 million worth of beef to Vietnam in 2025, making Vietnam the largest single destination for Indian carabeef. Frozen boneless bovine meat (HS 020230) accounted for 76.74% of bilateral value, followed by frozen edible bovine offal (HS 020629) at 22.24%.

How does India export so much beef?

India exports large volumes of beef by leveraging its massive water buffalo herd, low-cost production, and halal-certified processing infrastructure.

The country operates over 60 government-approved export abattoirs concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, and benefits from competitive pricing 30–40% below Brazilian and Australian alternatives, making Indian carabeef the default supplier to cost-sensitive Asian, Middle Eastern, and African markets.