India’s buffalo meat exports to plunge as China cracks down on food smuggling
- China does not allow imports of the Indian meat due to fears over foot-and-mouth disease, but that hasn’t stopped smugglers getting into the country via neighbouring nations
India’s buffalo meat exports are set to plunge 15 per cent to their lowest in six years, a leading industry said, as world’s top meat consumer China clamps down on food smuggling.
China does not allow imports of Indian buffalo beef due to fears over foot-and-mouth disease, but the meat is often smuggled into the country through neighbouring nations along with other foods that have also been prohibited by Beijing.
The Chinese government has periodically ramped up customs controls over the last few years as it cracks down on these so-called ‘grey trade’ networks.
That has hit demand for Indian buffalo meat in places such as Vietnam, where some traders look to resell to clients in China, according to the All India Meat & Livestock Exporters Association.
“Chinese buying has been very erratic in the last couple of months and that is being reflected in export numbers,” said Fauzan Alavi, vice-president at the organisation.
