(Updated till 12/2024)
Beneficial for competitive exams conducted by ICAR and other organizations
India is the largest producer of milk globally with 24 percent share in total milk production in the world. The dairy sector is the most critical component of the Indian livestock sector, employing more than eight crore farmers directly, and is the most prominent agrarian product. While India ranks first in milk production in the world, it ranks second in egg production and fifth in meat production in the world (FAOSTAT, 2024; Economic Survey, 2024).
Standings of India in the World
| Ranking | Sector |
| 1st | Total Livestock Population, Milk Production, Cattle Population, Buffalo Population, Goat Population, Carabeef Production, Goat Milk Production, Total Bovine Population |
| 2nd | Egg Production, Bristle Production (a pig industry by-product), Aquaculture, Goat Meat Production, Duck Production |
| 3rd | Sheep Population, Fisheries Production, Camel Population |
| 5th | Poultry Meat Production, Meat Production, Poultry Production |
| 6th | Clean Wool Production |
| 9th | Greasy Wool Production |
Animal Products Statistics for 2023-24
| Commodity | Total Production (per year) | Per Capita Availability | ICMR Recommendations |
| Milk | 239.30 MT (million tons) | 471 grams/day | 280 grams/day |
| Eggs | 142.77 billion | 103 eggs/year | 182 eggs/year |
| Meat | 10.25 MT | 7.39 kg/annum | 11 kg/year |
| Wool | 33.69 million kg | – | – |
The recommendation of WHO for per capita fish consumption is 18 kg/year.
Comparison with Previous Year
- Increase in milk production compared to previous year: 78%
- Increase in egg production compared to previous year: 3.18%
- Increase in meat production compared to previous year: 4.95%
- Increase in poultry meat production compared to previous year: 0.47%
- Increase in wool production compared to previous year: 0.22%
Average Yield per In-Milk Animal in 2023-24
| Type of animal | Average yield |
| Exotic cow | 9.82 kg/day |
| Cross-bred cow | 8.35 kg/day |
| Indigenous cow | 4.20 kg/day |
| Non-descript cow | 3.00 kg/day |
| Indigenous buffalo | 6.63 kg/day |
| Non-descript buffalo | 4.73 kg/day |
| Goat | 0.48 kg/day |
Average Yield per Bird in 2023-24
| Type of bird | Average yield |
| Backyard | |
| Desi fowl | 119.07 eggs/year |
| Improved fowl | 198.00 eggs/year |
| Desi duck | 109.60 eggs/year |
| Improved duck | 160.25 eggs/year |
| Commercial | |
| Desi fowl | 119.07 eggs/year |
| Improved fowl | 288.29 eggs/year |
| Desi duck | 242.55 eggs/year |
| Improved duck | 223.13 eggs/year |
Average Yield per Season of Wool in 2023-24
| Type of animal | Average yield per season |
| Ram/Wether | 2.09 kg |
| Ewe | 1.95 kg |
| Lamb | 1.01 kg |
Meat Processing Infrastructure and Related Facts
- APEDA registered Integrated Abattoirs cum Meat Processing Plants in India: 73
- APEDA registered Meat Processing Plants in India: 11
- APEDA registered Stand-alone Slaughter Houses in India: 7
- Number of regular slaughter houses: 882
- Number of carcass utilization centres: 08
- Small scale meat retail shops: 25,000 (approx.)
- Major export destinations of buffalo meat products in 2023-24: Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq, UAE.
- India accounts for about 43% of the world buffalo meat production, with Uttar Pradesh producing the most.
- India is the largest exporter of sheep and goat meat to the world (APEDA, 2024). Major export destinations in 2023-24 are United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives and Bahrain (in descending order).
- Organized poultry sector in India: 80 per cent
- Percent non-vegetarian population in India: 4 percent of men and 70.6 percent of women (NFHS-5, 2021).
- The current processing levels in poultry are 6%, while for meat it stands at 21%.
Number of Animals Slaughtered for Meat Production in 2023-24
| Species of animal | Number |
| Cattle | 2.44 million |
| Buffalo | 14.53 million |
| Sheep | 80.70 million |
| Goat | 135.17 million |
| Pig | 9.62 million |
| Poultry | 3.35 billion |
Leading States in India for Livestock Production in 2023-24
| Feature | State |
| Highest livestock population | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest poultry population | Tamil Nadu |
| Highest milk producing state | Uttar Pradesh |
| State with highest per capita availability of milk | Punjab (1245 g) |
| State with highest milk yield (exotic/crossbred cow) | Punjab (13.29 kg/animal/day) |
| State with highest milk yield (indigenous/non-descript cow) | Punjab (8.13 kg/animal/day) |
| State with highest milk yield (buffaloes) | Haryana (10.83 kg/animal/day)
UT-Chandigarh (11.47 kg/a/d) |
| State with highest milk yield (goats) | Punjab (1.51 kg/animal/day)
UT-Chandigarh (1.84 kg/a/d) |
| Highest egg producing state | Andhra Pradesh |
| State with highest per capita availability of eggs | Telangana (483 eggs) |
| Highest meat producing state | West Bengal |
| State with highest per capita availability of meat | Telangana (29.21 kg/annum) |
| Highest wool producing state | Rajasthan |
| Highest goat milk production | Rajasthan |
| Highest cattle meat production | Kerala |
| Highest buffalo meat production | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest sheep meat production | Andhra Pradesh |
| Highest goat meat production | West Bengal |
| Highest pig meat production | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest poultry meat production | Maharashtra |
| Highest indigenous milch cows | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest cross-bred or exotic cows | Tamil Nadu |
| Highest cattle population | West Bengal |
| Highest buffalo population | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest sheep population | Telangana |
| Highest goat population | Rajasthan |
| Highest pig population | Assam |
| Highest camel population | Rajasthan |
| Highest mithun population | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Highest yak population | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Highest horses and ponies population | Uttar Pradesh |
| Highest number of mules | Uttarakhand |
| Highest donkey population | Rajasthan |
| Highest fish production | Andhra Pradesh |
Share of States in Production of Livestock Products in 2023-24
- Largest Share in Total Milk Production in India: Uttar Pradesh (16.21%)
- Second Largest Share in Total Milk Production in India: Rajasthan (14.51%)
- Largest Share in Total Egg Production in India: Andhra Pradesh (17.85%)
- Second Largest Share in Total Egg Production in India: Tamil Nadu (15.64%)
- Largest Share in Total Meat Production in India: West Bengal (12.62%)
- Second Largest Share in Total Meat Production in India: Uttar Pradesh (12.29%)
- Largest Share Total Wool Production in India: Rajasthan (45.94%)
- Second Largest Share Total Wool Production in India: Jammu & Kashmir (25.24%)
Annual Growth Rate of Livestock Products in 2023-24
| Product | Growth Rate | |
| Milk production | 3.78 per cent | |
| Egg production | 3.18 per cent | |
| Meat production | 4.95 per cent | |
| Broiler production | 0.47 per cent | |
| Wool production | 0.22 per cent | |
Highest Annual Growth Rate of Livestock Products in 2023-24
- Highest growth rate in milk production: West Bengal (9.76%)
- Highest growth rate in egg production: Ladakh (75.90%)
- Highest growth rate in meat production: Assam (17.93%)
- Highest growth rate in wool production: Punjab (22.04%)
Value Output from Livestock Rearing in 2022-23 at Current Prices
| Sector | Percentage of total output |
| Milk and Milk Products | 66.48 per cent |
| Meat and Meat Products | 23.60 per cent |
| Eggs | 3.69 per cent |
| Wool and Hair | 0.04 per cent |
| Dung | 4.14 per cent |
| Silkworm cocoons and Honey | 0.76 per cent |
| Increment in stock | 1.28 per cent |
Livestock Census
First livestock census in India was conducted as Dairy Cattle Census in 1919. Livestock Census 2019 was 20th Livestock Census. Livestock Census takes place at every five years (Quinquennial)
Key Highlights
- Total livestock population: 536.76 million (showed an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012)
- Total poultry population: 851.81 million (showed an increase of 16.8% over Livestock Census-2012)
- Milch animals: 125.75 million
- Total bovine population: 303.76 million
- Total cattle population: 193.46 million
- Total indigenous/non-descript cattle: 142.11 million
- Total exotic/crossbred cattle: 51.36 million
- Total buffalo population: 109.85 million
- Total sheep population: 74.26 million
- Total goat population: 148.88 million
- Total pig population: 9.06 million
- Total camel population: 0.25 million
- Total horses and ponies population: 0.34 million
- Total mules population: 0.08 million
- Total donkey population: 0.12 million
- Total yak population: 0.06 million
- Total mithun population: 0.39 million
- Total rabbit population: 0.55 million
- Total dog population: 9.43 million
- Total duck population: 33.511 million
- Total stray cattle population: 5.02 million
- Total stray dog population: 15.30 million
Percentage Distribution of Total Livestock as per 20th Livestock Census
| Species | Percentage |
| Cattle | 36.04 per cent |
| Buffalo | 20.47 per cent |
| Sheep | 13.83 per cent |
| Goat | 27.74 per cent |
| Pigs | 1.69 per cent |
| Others | 0.23 per cent |
Species Wise Milk Contribution to Total Milk Production in India
| Species | Percentage of Total Milk |
| Buffalo indigenous | 31.49 per cent |
| Buffalo non-descript | 13.83 per cent |
| Cow non-descript | 10.11 per cent |
| Cow indigenous | 11.36 per cent |
| Cow cross-bred | 31.11 per cent |
| Cow exotic | 2.10 per cent |
| Goat | 3.36 per cent |
Species Wise Egg Contribution to Total Egg Production in India
| Species | Percentage of Total Eggs |
| Improved fowl | 86.33 per cent |
| Desi fowl | 12.62 per cent |
| Desi duck | 0.83 per cent |
| Improved duck | 0.22 per cent |
Species Wise Meat Contribution to Total Meat Production in India
| Species | Percentage of Total Meat |
| Poultry | 48.96 per cent |
| Buffalo | 18.09 per cent |
| Goat | 15.50 per cent |
| Sheep | 11.13 per cent |
| Pig | 3.72 per cent |
| Cattle | 2.60 per cent |
Category Wise Contribution to Total Wool Production in India
| Category | Percentage of Total Meat |
| Ewe | 71.12 per cent |
| Ram/Wether | 14.54 per cent |
| Lamb | 14.34 per cent |
Incidence of Major Livestock Diseases in 2023 (Jan-Dec, 2023)
| Disease | Number of Outbreaks | Deaths |
| Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) | 38 | 159 |
| Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) | 152 | 54 |
| Black Quarter (BQ) | 13 | 44 |
| Anthrax | 17 | 91 |
| Fascioliasis | 1 | 1 |
| Sheep & Goat Pox | 36 | 234 |
| Blue Tongue | 2 | 38 |
| Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) | 10 | 46 |
| Amphistomiasis | – | – |
| Classical Swine Fever | 23 | 239 |
| Salmonellosis | 1 | 985 |
| Ranikhet Disease (NCD) | 92 | 7688 |
| Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) | 11 | 26 |
| Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) | 52 | 3817 |
| Rabies | 5 | 12 |
| Babesiosis | 17 | 3 |
| Mastitis | – | – |
| Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) | 86 | 695 |
| Brucellosis | 8 | 0 |
| Glanders | 17 | 18 |
| Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) | – | – |
| Theileriosis | 4 | 18 |
Value of Livestock Export and Import in 2023-24
| Broad Group | Value |
| India’s total import of livestock and livestock products | Rs. 56,16,04,237 lakhs |
| India’s total export of livestock and livestock products | Rs. 36,18,95,227 lakhs |
Area under Fodder Crops and Permanent Pastures (2022-23)
Fodder Crops: 7.68 million hectares
Permanent Pastures and other Grazing Lands: 10.24 million hectares
Fish Production Statistics and Resources as of 2023
| Length of Indian coastline | 8118 kms |
| Exclusive Economic Zone | 2.02 million sq. km. |
| Continental Shelf Area | 0.53 million sq. km |
| Total fish production in India | 17.44 MT |
| Value of fisheries export | Rs. 63,969.14 crores |
| India’s contribution to world fish production in 2022-23 | 8.92% |
| Major importer of Indian seafood | USA |
| Marine fish production | 4.43 MT (25.40%) |
| Inland fish production | 13.11 MT (74.60%) |
| Contribution of fisheries to GDP | 1.32% |
| Contribution to Agricultural GDP | 7.25% |
| Average annual growth rate | 7.98% |
| Per capita fish consumption | 16.54 kg/year/capita (All India Basis) |
| Top fish consumption state | Tripura (27.62 kg/year per capita) & A&N Islands (114 kg/year per capita) among UTs |
| Total fishermen (male and female) | 2.80 crores |
| Rivers and Canals | 339045.37 km |
| Small Reservoirs | 0.754 million ha |
| Medium and Large Reservoirs | 2.082 million ha |
| Ponds and Tanks | 2.747 million ha |
| Oxbow lakes and derelict waters | 1.449 million ha |
| Brackish waters | 0.606 million ha |
| Major fishing harbors commissioned | 7 |
| Minor fishing harbors commissioned | 63 |
| Number of landing centres (marine) | 1457 |
| Number of fishing villages (marine) | 3461 |
| Number of fishing crafts (marine) | 255382 |
Demographic Dependence on Livestock
- Livestock sector employs approximately 80 million people, which is around 8 per cent of total Indian workforce.
- Around two-third rural women are engaged in livestock rearing.
- Percentage of population dependent on agriculture for livelihood: 49.8 per cent.
- Percentage of livestock owned by marginal, small and semi-medium farmers: More than 80 per cent.
- Percentage of area used for all types of livestock farming: 1.69 per cent
Infrastructure Related to Animal Husbandry in India
(As of 31-03-2024)
- Veterinary Dispensaries: 30184
- Veterinary Aid Centres (Stockman Centres/Mobile Dispensaries): 24532
- Veterinary Hospitals/Polyclinics: 13173
- Highest number of veterinary aid centres: Rajasthan
- Number of ICD Projects: 422
- Semen Production Centres: 32 Govt. + 30 Others = 62
- Frozen Semen Banks: 189 Govt. + 81 Others = 270
- Number of AI Centres: 60045 Govt. + 52717 Others = 112762
- Cattle Breeding Farms: 149 Govt. + 40 Others = 189
- Buffalo Breeding Farms: 21 Govt. + 14 Others = 35
- Number of Gaushalas: 9266 Govt. + 8154 Others = 17420
- Liquid Nitrogen Plants: 45 Govt. + 17 Others = 62
- Poultry Breeding Farms: 236 Govt. + 8033 Others = 8269
- Duck Breeding Farms: 35 Govt. + 8 Others = 43
- Hatcheries: 201 Govt. + 399 Others = 600
- Sheep Breeding Farms: 75 Govt. + 28 Others = 103
- Intensive Sheep Development Projects: 33
- Sheep & Wool Extension Centres: 1499
- Wool Grading Centres: 11
- Goat Breeding Farms: 167
- Rabbit Breeding Farms: 21
- Fodder Seed Production Farms: 85 Govt. + 34 Others = 119
- Pig Breeding Farms: 400
- Camel Breeding Farms: 2
- Horse Farms: 20
- Rinderpest Check Posts: 167
- Milk Processing Factories: 343
- Liquid Milk Plants: 2006
- Total Artificial Inseminations done in 2022-23: 78.26 million
World Leaders in Livestock Production
| Category | Number One in the World |
| Bovines | India |
| Cattle | India |
| Buffalo | India |
| Milk production | India |
| Carabeef | India |
| Goat milk | India |
| Pigs | China |
| Donkeys | Ethiopia |
| Mules | Mexico |
| Sheep | China |
| Goat | India |
| Duck | China |
| Fish | China |
| Eggs | China |
| Chevon | China |
| Mutton | China |
| Pork | China |
| Camels | Somalia |
| Poultry | China |
| Meat | China |
| Poultry meat | USA |
| Fibre | Australia |
| Wool | Australia |
| Beef | USA |
Percentage of the World Livestock Present in India
| Species | Percentage present in India |
| Total Livestock | 10.23 per cent |
| Cattle | 12.67 per cent |
| Buffalo | 53.84 per cent |
| Sheep | 5.88 per cent |
| Goat | 13.19 per cent |
| Pig | 0.95 per cent |
| Poultry | 2.43 per cent |
Share of Agriculture & Allied Sectors in Gross Value Added (GVA)
(At current prices in Rs. Crore for 2022-23)
Livestock contribute 5.50% of total GVA to national GVA and 30.23% to agricultural GVA.
Total GVA (for the country): Rs. 24659031 crores
Total Agricultural GVA: Rs. 4484268 crores (18.19% of total)
| Category | Total GVA (in crores) | Percentage Share (%) |
| Crops | 2478925 | 10.05 |
| Livestock | 1355460 | 5.50 |
| Forestry and logging | 324875 | 1.32 |
| Fishing and aquaculture | 325007 | 1.32 |
Export Statement of Animal Products for the year 2023-24
| Animal Product | Quantity (In MT) | Value (In Crore Rs.) | Percent share in total export |
| Buffalo Meat | 1295603.15 | 31010.10 | 14.62 |
| Sheep/Goat Meat | 10829.00 | 643.55 | 0.30 |
| Other Meat | 223.68 | 6.82 | 0.00 |
| Processed Meat | 813.72 | 20.55 | 0.01 |
| Animal Casings | 15009.30 | 399.21 | 0.19 |
| Poultry Products | 1275234.89 | 1530.20 | 0.72 |
| Dairy Products | 63738.48 | 2260.94 | 1.07 |
| Casein | 2044.33 | 150.24 | 0.07 |
| Natural Honey | 107963.21 | 1470.84 | 0.69 |
| Albumin (Eggs & Milk) | 2038.98 | 173.06 | 0.08 |
| Total | 2773498.74 | 37665.51 | 17.75 |
Sources
- 20th Livestock Census (2020). DADF, DADF, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI.
- Basic Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Statistics (2024). Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, DADF, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI.
- Economic Survey (2024). Economic Division, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- FAO (2024). Statistical Pocketbook – World Food and Agriculture.
- Handbook on Fisheries Statistics (2023). Fisheries Statistics Division Department of Fisheries Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Government of India.
- Singh A (2020). Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2019. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32034.86721.
- Three Year Export Statement, APEDA. Retrieved from https://agriexchange.apeda. gov.in/indexp/ExportStatement.aspx on 15.12.2024.
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Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2023
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2022
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2021
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2020
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2019
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2018
Livestock Production Statistics of India – 2017
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Very informative
Thanks a lot
Excellent informative information ,very well compiled , covering all aspects congratulation to team