It has been reported that China and India recently signed eight trade agreements, including the allowance of Indian buffalo meat to be exported directly to China - with minimum safety requirements. Reportedly, the Chinese demand for Indian buffalo could be worth US$1.5 billion a year.
Indian buffalo meat is currently not allowed to enter the Chinese market directly, due to health and biosecurity reasons. According to US Department of Agriculture, Indian buffalo exports during 2013 are forecast to be 20% above the annual total volumes of 2012, at 1.7 million tonnes swt.