November 19, 2007

India's buffalo meat exporters grapple against FMD

India's buffalo meat producers are struggling against foot and mouth disease which is heavily affecting their meat trade, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Despite exporters' compliance to international quality practices for meat production, India is still unable to export to most markets in the world. Indian buffalo meat exports were estimated to reach US$1.8 billion annually and could rise further if it were not for FMD.

Meat and Livestock Australia says India has the potential to become the world's largest meat exporter as it also has the biggest cow and buffalo population with low domestic meat consumption which can boost trade in global meat processing.