Global Dairy Subsidies: Inequality and Sustainability Rhetoric
Recently, India has successfully concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, and negotiations with New Zealand have commenced. In contrast, the United States continues to engage in tariff politics with numerous countries worldwide. Throughout these negotiations, the Indian government and the Prime Minister have consistently taken a firm stance against opening sensitive…
East Asians Evolved Milk Tolerance Pre-Dairying
Recent genetic research has revealed that East Asian populations began developing lactase persistence—the ability to digest lactose into adulthood—before the advent of cattle domestication and dairying practices in the region. This finding challenges the traditional gene-culture coevolution model, which posits that lactase persistence evolved primarily in response to the consumption of dairy products following the…
Quick Commerce Boosts Dairy Access in India
India’s quick commerce (q-commerce) sector is significantly enhancing consumer access to dairy products, reshaping traditional distribution models. Platforms like Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Blinkit are facilitating rapid delivery of dairy items, including milk pouches, curd, paneer, and butter, directly to consumers’ doorsteps. This shift is not only improving convenience but also expanding the market…
Katraj Dairy Raises Milk Prices by ₹2/Litre
Katraj Dairy, operated by the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, has increased the retail price of its milk by ₹2 per litre, effective May 13, 2025. Following this hike, full cream milk is now priced at ₹74 per litre, while toned milk costs ₹64 per litre. The decision was attributed to rising expenses in…
Amul’s Protein Push Faces Brand Perception Challenges
Amul, India’s largest dairy cooperative, has ventured into the protein-enriched food segment to address the country’s significant protein deficiency—affecting 73% of the population, with only 9% awareness. Since 2022, Amul has introduced products like protein lassi and protein kulfi, aiming to make protein consumption more accessible to the masses. In 2025, Amul launched high-protein mango…
India’s Dairy Export Hurdles Amid U.S. Tariff Shifts
India, the world’s leading milk producer with an annual output of approximately 240 million tonnes, contributes less than 0.5% to global dairy exports. This limited export share is attributed to structural challenges within the Indian dairy sector, including a predominant focus on fluid milk, high production costs, and inconsistent quality standards. In contrast, the United…
Himachal Woman Earns Lakhs from Dairy in Mandi
MANDI: At Kun village under Kot panchayat of the Kotli sub-division in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, a young woman is quietly transforming the landscape of rural entrepreneurship. Sakina Thakur, a postgraduate in history, has turned a modest beginning into a thriving dairy venture — one that now earns her over Rs 2 lakh per month and…
Danone Aims to Increase Stake in Epigamia to 60%
French food conglomerate Danone is in discussions to double its stake in Indian Greek yogurt and fruit dessert brand Epigamia from 30% to 60%. This move involves acquiring the 30% share currently held by Belgian private equity firm Verlinvest. Both Danone and Verlinvest presently hold approximately 30% each in Epigamia’s parent company, Drums Food International….
Heritage Foods Unveils 360° Campaign on Milk & Child Growth
Heritage Foods, a leading Indian dairy company, has introduced a comprehensive 360-degree brand campaign titled “The Power of Learning over Winning.” This initiative positions milk not merely as a nutritional staple but as a vital contributor to a child’s cognitive and emotional growth. Executive Director Brahmani Nara emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting mothers by…
Synthetic Paneer Threatens India’s Dairy Integrity
The Indian dairy sector is confronting a significant challenge with the proliferation of synthetic paneer—products crafted from vegetable oils, starches, and additives that mimic traditional paneer in appearance and texture. This counterfeit variant is infiltrating markets, particularly in regions with high paneer consumption, posing health risks to consumers and undermining the efforts of genuine dairy…