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CHENNAI, Sept. 29

GROWING preference for rearing buffaloes for their higher fat content in milk is likely to result in increased carabeef (buffalo meat) exports from the country in the next couple of years.

Buffalo numbers are expected to increase in the near-term fuelled by the growth in the dairy sector on rising demand for milk and milk products. The expanding market opportunities for carabeef and initiatives taken by the private sector for the development of the meat sector are other reasons for this.

According to a US Department of Agriculture report, Indian carabeef exports, which touched a high of 2.88 lakh tonnes in 2000, are expected to rebound to 2.80 lakh tonnes this year. The rebound is seen after setbacks last year due to outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in early 2001, when the exports slid to 2.59 lakh tonnes. This led to a ban by a West Asian nation but it was lifted in May on the efforts of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).

Growth in demand from traditional markets and the ongoing Argentine crisis would, in fact, help exports to touch 2.95 lakh tonnes next year.

According to USDA, the growth will be supported by increased exports to a few emerging African markets and access to "relatively less quality-conscious south African countries".

Philippines and Malaysia are the biggest consumers of Indian carabeef, while West Asian nations such as the UAE, Jordan and Egypt also buy good quantities of frozen beef.

USDA says that carabeef has emerged at the number one meat consumed in the country due to its cheaper availability and also because sheep/goat meat demand continues to outstrip supply. Quoting trade sources, USDA says that most of carabeef exports are in boneless form, while the rest are in caracass or meat with bone-in form.

The country is seen having 36.3 crore cattle heads with buffalo making up 45 per cent of it.

According to USDA, carabeef market is expanding as there are fewer restrictions for its slaughter in the country.

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