The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In response to the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA)’s recommendation to explore beef imports to address domestic shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has clarified that there is no ban on beef importation into Bhutan.
MoAL emphasized that beef and other meat products can be imported as long as they meet strict safety and sanitary standards set under the Livestock Act of Bhutan 2001, the Livestock Rules and Regulations 2022, and accompanying guidelines. These regulations require that only meat from certified suppliers with food safety management systems may enter the country.
Addressing public concerns about the limited availability of beef, the ministry has clarified that the shortage is not due to a government-imposed ban. “The issue is that the actual volume of beef being imported is currently insufficient to meet domestic demand.”
Meat imports are subject to thorough import risk analysis and require a permit from the relevant authorities, including the Department of Livestock and the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA). Imported beef must also comply with specific storage and transportation standards, including maintaining cold chain temperatures below 4°C to ensure food safety.
India remains Bhutan’s main source of meat imports, but the export of beef from India is constrained by its internal policies. As an alternative, Bhutan has recently approved the import of beef from Brazil after completing risk assessments in February 2025. While private importers have shown interest, no beef consignments from Brazil have arrived yet.
The government is actively encouraging private suppliers to explore international sources for beef imports that meet Bhutan’s health and safety regulations. Each new proposal will be reviewed individually to ensure compliance with national standards and international guidelines.
With the necessary regulatory framework already in place, the government aims to address the supply shortfall while upholding the highest standards of food safety and public health.
