Wholesale beef prices in India continue to increase, report shows
Warning: Trying to access array offset on false in /home/foodbusiness/www/www/wp-content/plugins/yet-another-related-posts-plugin/classes/YARPP_Core.php on line 691
INDIA – India’s wholesale prices for beef and carabeef have been on the rise in 2024, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN).
Despite the upward trend, beef remains less expensive than pork, mutton, and fish.
The price adjustments are being driven by inflation and seasonal factors.
Fluctuations linked to weather conditions, climate change, and religious festivals contribute to the changing costs.
Rising production costs, including labor, fuel, and feed, also play a significant role in the price increase.
Export prices for Indian carabeef have similarly climbed, driven by higher production expenses and rising freight charges.
India consumed approximately 3.12 million metric tons of beef in 2022, equating to a per capita consumption of 2.2 kilograms.
By 2024, the country’s total consumption is projected to approach 3 million metric tons.
The northeastern state of Meghalaya reports the highest beef consumption, with over 80% of the population including it in their diet.
Other states with significant levels of beef consumption include Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal.
India’s Muslim population represents the majority of beef consumers, with approximately 63.4 million individuals eating either beef or buffalo meat.
Data on meat consumption in India shows fluctuations over the years.
In 2020, per capita meat consumption peaked at 6.07 kilograms.
From 2010 to 2021, the average annual per capita consumption was 5.69 kilograms.
Poultry remains the most commonly consumed meat in India.
In 2020, the country consumed over 3.9 million metric tons of poultry, making it the preferred choice for many.
Although 39% of adults identify as vegetarian, 81% of the population observes restrictions on meat consumption.
These limitations range from abstaining on certain days to avoiding specific types of meat altogether.
With production costs continuing to rise and consumer habits influencing demand, beef prices in India are expected to remain dynamic in the near future.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
