April 9, 2014

India's meat export growth driven by compliance with global standards

India's meat exports have surged over the last few years as exporters adhered to stringent global quality standards and the government undertook measures to eliminate animal diseases.

Latest data reveal that exports of meat and allied products have risen to more than INR 19,946 crore (US$3.32 billion) in the first three quarters of FY14, against INR 17,902 crore (US$2.98 billion) earned during same period in FY13.

Meat exports touched INR 20,778 crore (US$3.46 billion) during FY13. Buffalo meat, which  contributed over 86% of meat exports, brought in INR 17,412 crore (US$2.90 billion) in export revenue, and sheep and goat meat raked in INR 425 crore (US$70.82 million).

India accounts for nearly 13% of the world's cattle population, half the buffalo population and 15% of the goat population.

A commerce ministry official said that meat exports registered 27% growth in FY13. Major destinations are Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and UAE.

Officials at the Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (Apeda) said that concerted efforts to eliminate diseases such as rinderpest and foot and mouth disease have shown results. Rinderpest was eliminated in 1995 and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) officially declared India free of the disease. The incidents of foot and mouth disease have been sporadic.

Apeda also said that diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or "mad cow disease") and scrapie have never been reported in the country. "Our animals are not fed on meat and bone meal and also not stall fed," the Apeda official said, adding that no protein supplements and growth hormones are used in animal feed.

Currently, there are around 10 mechanised abattoirs and processing plants set up by the private sector, and these plants follow all sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements of the OIE.

"Each export consignment is subjected to compulsory micro-biological test and inspection is done by officials from animal husbandry department, Apeda, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India and state government veterinary departments," an Apeda official said.