Opening New Pathways for India’s Milk Cooperatives
During a recent assignment in rural Rajasthan, I was tasked with facilitating the registration of several primary dairy cooperative societies. The objective was to empower local dairy farmers by formalizing their operations and integrating them into the cooperative framework. However, I encountered an unexpected regulatory hurdle: the registration process mandated that these primary cooperatives affiliate…
India Eyes Dairy Export Boost Amid U.S. Tariff Shifts
Media reports have suggested that retaliatory tariffs against American dairy may create an opening for India. While such optimism is understandable, a closer look reveals that these expectations warrant a more cautious assessment. India, the world’s largest milk producer, produces about 240 mn tonnes of milk annually. Yet, it accounts for less than 0.5% of…
India to Ease Liquidation of Defunct Dairy Cooperatives
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that the central government will soon introduce a policy to expedite the liquidation of defunct Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and facilitate the registration of new ones. This initiative aims to revitalize the cooperative sector, particularly in the dairy industry. The government plans to establish 200,000 new…
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…
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…
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…
Why India Poses the Biggest Trade Opportunity with US
India Trade Talks Make Progress Before the White House’s 90-day pause on higher tariffs for other countries expires on July 9, India is one country rushing to negotiate a trade deal with the U.S. As trade tensions continue to impact both commodity and financial markets, the White House says the Trump administration is making progress…
India Stands Firm Against US Dairy Imports Over Animal Feed Concerns
India has drawn a firm red line in ongoing trade discussions with the United States, refusing to open its market to American dairy products due to concerns over animal feed practices. The core issue lies in the use of animal-derived feed ingredients in the US dairy sector, which conflicts with India’s religious sentiments and regulatory…
India Poised to Challenge U.S. in Global Butter Export Markets
In a development that could reshape global dairy trade dynamics, India is emerging as a serious contender to the U.S. in the international butter market, according to a recent analysis by U.S.-based dairy experts. While the U.S. has traditionally maintained a stable share in global butter exports, India’s rising milk production, expanding processing infrastructure, and…
India Steps Forward to Lead Global Livestock Decarbonisation Drive
India is positioning itself as a key global leader in livestock decarbonisation as it prepares for the upcoming Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation to be hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. The announcement follows the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and FAO’s collaborative efforts to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions…