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Journal of Animal Science and Technology
Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology

J Anim Sci Technol

pISSN: 2672-0191, eISSN: 2055-0391

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2400360

Article

Status and Potential of Buffalo Dairy Production in Asia: A Review

Fadzlin Afiqah A. SAMAD1, Norhariani Mohd Nor1,2, Mohd Zamri Saad2, Annas Salleh2, Amirul Faiz Mohd Azmi3, Anuraga Jayanegara4, Dewi Apri Satuti4, Md Zuki Abu Bakar2, Hasliza Abu Hassim1,2,*
1Institute Tropical and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia.
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia.
3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu 16100, Malaysia.
4Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia, Bogor 16680, Indonesia.
*Corresponding Author: Hasliza Abu Hassim, Institute Tropical and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia. E-mail: haslizaabu@upm.edu.my.

© Copyright 2026 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Received: Oct 02, 2024; Revised: Apr 07, 2025; Accepted: Jan 05, 2026

Published Online: Jan 29, 2026

Abstract

The dairy buffalo industry in Asia experiencing contrasting trends, with growth in South Asia yet declining in East and Southeast Asia. Despite global dominance by cattle milk, buffalo milks offer the superior nutritional qualities, including lower cholesterol and higher protein content, making it an alternative for health-conscious consumers. This review highlights the current status of dairy buffaloes in Asia, focusing on their role in supplying essential animal protein and the potential for the growth in dairy sector. The key challenges affecting buffalo milk production include breed variability, health challenges, and environment factors. Thus, to enhance the production, this review proposes several strategies such as targeted breeding initiatives, nutritional improvements, and policy support to enhance market competitiveness. As demand for sustainable livestock products increases, revitalizing the buffalo industry in East and Southeast Asia through innovative farming practices and regional collaboration can ensure food security while promoting climate-resilient agriculture.

Keywords: Dairy buffalo; Asian buffalo; Milk composition; Dairy production