Nepal is set to begin exporting buffalo meat to China by June 2026, marking a major development in the country’s meat industry, with a target of 5,000 tonnes daily. The project, worth Rs27 billion, includes significant Chinese investment aimed at both meat processing and animal rearing, representatives from the meat industry confirmed, reads a Kathmandu Post report.
The approval for Chinese investment, valued at nearly Rs9.5 billion (RMB 500 million), was received just a week ago. Navin Kumar Sharma, chairman of Himalayan Food International, the Nepali company driving the project, stated that Chinese investors will arrive this Sunday, after which a final application for approval will be submitted to the Investment Board Nepal.
The ambitious project is expected to unfold in three phases, with meat processing facilities to be built in Sindhuli and buffalo rearing sites in Udayapur and Chitwan. Despite some regulatory delays in land clearance and disease-free zone recognition, construction is expected to begin by September, with operations aiming to commence in April 2026.
The partnership between Himalayan Food International and China’s Shanghai Ziyan Food began with a business-to-business agreement signed in December 2023. This deal follows Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China, where Beijing agreed to open its market to Nepali buffalo meat. The initiative is seen as part of China’s broader “soft trade diplomacy” and could transform Nepal's meat export sector, with projections of up to $1.5 billion in annual sales to China.
However, industry insiders remain cautious, noting that Nepal’s buffalo population is insufficient to meet both domestic and export demand. The country’s buffalo meat output has been on the decline in recent years, exacerbated by illegal imports from India and a growing shortage of animals. Currently, buffalo meat accounts for 27% of Nepal’s total meat production.
Despite these challenges, the export deal presents a major opportunity for Nepal, especially given the high protein content of buffalo meat—20.23 grams per 100 grams. The total investment in the meat sector is expected to reach Rs27 billion, driving growth in both domestic production and exports.
Himalayan Food International is optimistic that the project will bring significant economic benefits, though they acknowledge the difficulties in meeting the demand. The company plans to rear 200,000 buffalo calves within the first four months, sourced from local farmers.
This development could reshape Nepal's meat industry, bolstering its position as a key supplier to China, which has long been a lucrative market for agricultural products.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
