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Exporters recall buffalo meat consignments over spoilage fears
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Thursday, 12 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Indian exporters of frozen buffalo meat have started recalling consignments bound for West Asian markets amid fears of spoilage and uncertainty in shipping schedules. Industry sources said the decision was taken after delays in shipments raised concerns that the products could deteriorate while waiting at ports.
Frozen buffalo meat, one of India’s key agricultural export items, requires uninterrupted cold storage to maintain quality. However, exporters say that most Indian ports lack adequate cold storage infrastructure to safely hold large volumes of frozen meat for extended periods. As a result, many exporters have opted to bring back their shipments rather than risk damage to the cargo.
Trade officials noted that the recall of consignments will significantly increase costs for exporters, who are already facing higher freight and transportation charges due to disruptions in shipping routes. Apart from the additional logistics expenses, exporters may also incur extra costs related to storage, insurance, and re-handling of the cargo.
India exports roughly 4,200–4,400 containers of buffalo meat every month, and nearly 40–50 per cent of these shipments are destined for West Asian markets, making the region the largest buyer of Indian frozen meat products. Major destinations include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai and the UAE.
Industry representatives said that in the past few days alone, more than 300 containers of buffalo meat have been recalled by exporters due to the prevailing uncertainty in shipping schedules. Exporters fear that if consignments remain stranded at ports without adequate refrigeration, the meat could spoil, leading to heavy financial losses.
The disruption comes at a particularly crucial time for the sector. Demand for buffalo meat from West Asian countries typically rises during the Ramadan season, which runs from November to March, making it the peak export period for Indian suppliers.
India’s buffalo meat exports are valued at nearly $4 billion annually and support the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers across the livestock supply chain.
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