Top Buffalo Producing Countries

Buffalo, particularly the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), are primarily raised in countries such as India, China, Pakistan, Egypt, and Nepal, which together account for the vast majority of the world’s buffalo population. India leads by a significant margin, with over half of the global buffalo population, where they are prized for their milk, meat, and draught power. The domestication of buffalo is believed to have begun over 5,000 years ago in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, where two main types emerged: the river buffalo and the swamp buffalo. River buffalo, adapted for milk production, spread westward into the Middle East and Mediterranean regions, while swamp buffalo, used mainly for draught work in rice paddies, became prevalent throughout Southeast Asia and China. Over centuries, buffalo have become integral to the agricultural economies and cultures of these regions, providing essential resources and contributing to food security.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat