India’s meat production has seen a sharp rise over the last few years, underlining the growing importance of the livestock and poultry sectors in the country’s food economy. According to the latest data from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), total meat production reached 10.50 million tonnes in 2024–25, marking a 29% increase from 8.11 million tonnes in 2018–19.
Poultry Leads India’s Meat Story
Poultry continues to dominate India’s meat basket, contributing nearly 50% of total meat production. Poultry meat output grew from 4.47 million tonnes in 2020–21 to 5.18 million tonnes in 2024–25, reflecting a 16% increase in just five years.
This steady rise highlights poultry’s role as India’s most affordable and widely accepted animal protein, driven by strong domestic demand, better farm integration, and expanding market access.
Small Ruminants Show Fastest Growth
While poultry leads in volume, the fastest relative growth has come from the small ruminant sector. Over the last five years:
- Sheep meat production increased by 35%
- Goat meat production rose by 30%
This growth is supported by rising consumption in urban markets and export demand from select regions.
Production Concentrated in Few States
Meat production in India remains highly concentrated. Just five states — West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana — account for over 57% of the country’s total meat output.
- Uttar Pradesh dominates buffalo meat, contributing nearly 39% of national production
- West Bengal supplies about 31% of India’s goat meat
- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together produce nearly two-thirds of India’s sheep meat
Poultry Supply vs Consumption Gap
The data also reveals a mismatch between where meat is produced and where it is consumed. Telangana, with a per capita meat availability of 28.8 kg per year, leads the country—almost four times the national average. In contrast, states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh remain below 1 kg per capita.
Interestingly, some high-production states function mainly as supply hubs rather than consumption centres. For example, Haryana shows high production availability but relatively low local consumption, indicating strong inter-state movement of meat, including poultry.
Why This Matters for Poultry Farmers and Traders
The rising dominance of poultry, coupled with concentrated production, highlights both opportunity and risk. While national output is growing, supply chain efficiency, regional demand alignment, and price stability remain key challenges. For poultry farmers, traders, and integrators, access to transparent markets and wider buyer networks is becoming increasingly critical.
As India’s meat sector expands, especially poultry, platforms that connect farmers directly with buyers can help reduce inefficiencies and ensure fair pricing across regions.
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