Buffalo slaughter at state govt-run abattoir sees sharp rise in 2025–26

Porvorim: Buffalo slaughter at the govt abattoir, Goa Meat Complex at Usgao, recorded a sharp increase in the financial year 2025–26, as per data shared by animal husbandry and veterinary services minister Nilkanth Harlankar in the state assembly on Thursday.

Data shows a total of 13,617 buffaloes were slaughtered between April 2025 and Feb 2026, while 7,722 animals were slaughtered in 2024–25 and 554 in 2023–24.

Out of the total slaughtered animals in 2025–26, 8,022 buffaloes were supplied to local Goan municipal traders. In contrast, 5,595 animals were processed for export.

The month-wise breakdown shows fluctuations. Oct 2025 recorded the highest slaughter figures, with 1,773 animals, followed by June (1,691) and May (1,683). The lowest activity occurred in Aug, when only 41 animals were slaughtered.

The increase in slaughter numbers contrasts with earlier years. During 2024–25, the complex processed 7,722 buffaloes, including 6,455 animals supplied to local traders, 1,067 sent outside Goa (mainly Kerala), and 200 were exported.

In 2023–24, only 554 buffaloes were slaughtered, as all of them were between Jan and March. The report also estimates dressed meat output using an assumed average live weight of 400kg per buffalo, with dressed meat calculated at 33% of live weight.

Based on this formula, slaughter operations in 2025–26 produced an estimated 1,058.9 tonnes of meat for the local market and 756.6 tonnes for export.

For comparison, 2024–25 generated around 852.1 tonnes for local consumption, 140.8 tonnes for supply outside Goa, and 28 tonnes for export.