India: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in India

After two years of decline, the Indian beef market increased by 4.3% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Beef consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in India

In value terms, beef production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of beef (cattle meat) in India reduced modestly to X kg per head, approximately mirroring the year before. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 0.6%. Over the period under review, the average beef yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in India rose remarkably to X heads, picking up by 9.3% on 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from India

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) increased by 9.4% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Egypt (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from India, together accounting for 49% of total exports. These countries were followed by Iraq, Indonesia, Hong Kong SAR, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +66.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from India were Egypt ($X), Malaysia ($X) and Vietnam ($X), together accounting for 49% of total exports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Hong Kong SAR, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +67.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -1.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 11%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) and Iraq ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into India

In 2021, overseas purchases of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -21.1% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 116% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 122% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to India, together comprising 84% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +129.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) constituted the largest beef suppliers to India, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +37.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 12%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Jordan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+6.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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