Unilever Ice Cream Sees Turnaround in India; Focus on Growth
Unilever’s ice cream business in India — anchored by the Heartbrand portfolio including Cornetto, Magnum and Kwality Walls — is reporting a notable turnaround after a challenging period marked by pandemic-era disruptions and competitive pressure. The unit’s CEO said the business has regained momentum through expanded distribution, category innovation and strengthened operational execution, contributing to…
India to host World Dairy Summit 2027 in Mumbai
In a significant move for the global dairy sector, India is set to host the prestigious IDF World Dairy Summit (WDS) 2027. An agreement to this effect was formally exchanged on Thursday between Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Laurence Rycken, Director General of the International Dairy Federation (IDF)….
India–US Trade Deal Criticised as Costly for Farmers
Several farmer groups and political critics have slammed the recently announced India–US trade pact, warning that it could be detrimental to India’s farm economy if agricultural and dairy products are included in the liberalised market access framework — a fear echoed from earlier trade negotiations. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions have stated that…
Nepali Dairy Farmers Gain from Rising Milk Prices in India
With milk prices rising in India, Nepali dairy producers are finding better market opportunities across the border, reversing a trend that previously saw cheaper Indian milk flooding Nepal and squeezing local producers. Earlier seasons forced Nepali farmers to struggle with surplus or process excess milk themselves due to illegal imports; this year, higher Indian milk…
India’s Dairy FMCG Sector Strengthens on Policy & Demand
India’s dairy-linked FMCG sector is showing renewed resilience and growth momentum, supported by a combination of policy support, rising consumer demand and a recovery in rural consumption. After a period of cost pressures and muted volume growth, the industry is now seeing improved performance across key product categories such as value-added dairy beverages, cheeses, ghee,…
India Slaps 30% Duty on US Pulses; Trade Talks Feel Strain
India has quietly imposed a 30 % tariff on pulses imported from the United States — including key crops like yellow peas and lentils — in what officials present as a protective trade measure for domestic agriculture and farmers. This duty, which came into effect from November 1, 2025, marks a retaliatory step after earlier…
India’s First Glyphosate-Free A2 Ghee from Two Brothers
In a significant development for product quality and consumer trust in the dairy sector, Two Brothers Organic Farms has announced that its A2 cultured ghee has received India’s first glyphosate residue-free certification — a distinction that sets a new benchmark in dairy product safety and purity. The certification, issued by a recognised third-party testing and…
India’s Dairy Goes Digital as NDDB Builds a Data Spine
India’s dairy sector — already the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for about 25 % of global output — is undergoing a comprehensive digital transformation led by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to enhance efficiency, transparency and farmer welfare across the value chain. At the heart of this digital push is the National Digital…
India’s Dairy Sector Rethinks Supply Trust & Nutrition Strategy
India’s dairy industry — long anchored in high production volumes but thin value realisation — is undergoing strategic recalibration around supply reliability, consumer trust and long-term nutrition value as it heads into 2026. Rising procurement costs, tightening milk supplies and evolving consumer expectations are shifting industry focus from commodity volume to quality, traceability and value-added…
From Forecast to Fact: 2025 Lessons, 2026 Dairy Outlook
As we step into 2026, it is worth pausing to reflect on how the Indian dairy sector navigated the challenges of 2025 and how closely reality tracked the forecasts I outlined in the first blog of last year. 2025-dynamic-year-ahead-indian-dairy In January 2025, the central thesis was clear — Indian dairying would confront seasonal volatility, heat-induced…