India’s dairy sector, a bedrock of rural prosperity, now accounts for a staggering 13% share of global cattle milk output (f24% of total milk output). For industry professionals, this isn’t just a milestone—it’s a signal that India is gearing up to transform from a domestic leader into a serious global dairy export contender.
The dairy and livestock ecosystem in India constitutes a formidable 30.23% of agricultural gross value added and contributes 5.5% to the national GDP, underscoring its economic and nutritional importance across rural India. Innovation, cold-chain development, and policy ambition are setting the stage for the next growth chapter.
At its 58th AGM and 66th National Symposium themed “Animal Agriculture in India – The Way Forward,” CLFMA of India Chairman Divya Kumar Gulati spotlighted the country’s 13% global dairy output contribution. He proposed ambitious strategies—including Export Oriented Zones (EOZs) and a Livestock Export & Domestic Development Authority—to enhance export competitiveness and scale up international market access.
In the short term, this strengthening of export infrastructure and policy support can enhance pricing for farmers, incentivize investment in cold-chain solutions, and drive efficiency improvements across the dairy value chain.
Looking ahead, these moves could propel India from being merely the world’s largest dairy producer to a dominant export powerhouse. Dairy entrepreneurs and investors should monitor emerging EOZ implementation and new institutions closely—these could unlock cross-border trade flows and fuel rural scale-up in production quality and volume.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Aug 24th 2025