What’s Driving Change In Beverages, FMCG And Dairy in 2025

India’s retail landscape in 2025 was marked by a decisive shift in how consumers choose, consume and connect with brands. From beverages to daily nutrition and even the most essential dairy products, the year revealed a sharper, more informed, and more value-driven Indian customer, one who prioritises authenticity, quality and convenience in equal measure. As…
ED begins money laundering probe in dairy investment fraud case

The Enforcement Directorate Wednesday conducted searches at five locations in Pune in connection with a suspected financial fraud of over Rs 100 crore related to investments in the dairy sector. Searches were conducted at the properties belonging to Anand Satish Lokhande, M/s Vidyanand Dairy Pvt Ltd and M/s Vidyanand Agro Feed Pvt Ltd and others….
Indo-Brazil pact aims to boost cattle genetics and dairy yield

India and Brazil have stepped up cooperation in cattle genetics, aiming to leverage Brazil’s advanced dairy-cattle breeding experience and India’s indigenous Zebu cattle heritage to improve milk yield and breed quality. The effort is led by ABCZ in Brazil and IFIZCI in India. Under the collaboration, the two organisations plan to exchange genetic material (semen…
Is milk really good for bones? New research reveals complexity

A fresh review of scientific evidence has raised new questions about the long-held belief that drinking milk automatically builds stronger bones. Recent research suggests that while milk offers nutrients — calcium, protein, vitamin D — important for bone health, its benefits are not universal or guaranteed. Historically, milk has been promoted as a key source…
IMPACT OF GST RATIONALISATION ON COOPERATIVES

The impact of recent GST rationalisation on cooperatives, particularly those operating in the dairy, food processing, agriculture and rural enterprises sectors throughout the country is as follows:- Dairy Sector i. The GST on Milk & Paneer has been made ‘nil’ and the GST on Butter, Ghee, Cheese, Milk cans etc. has been reduced from 12%…
HUL splits off Kwality Wall’s as standalone ice-cream firm

India’s booming ice-cream market has prompted Hindustan Unilever to demerge its ice-cream business — including Kwality Wall’s, Cornetto and Magnum — into a separate listed company, Kwality Wall’s (India) Ltd. (KWIL), effective December 1, 2025. The record date for entitlement was set at December 5: each HUL shareholder receives one KWIL share for every HUL…
Godrej Agrovet to invest Rs 150 cr in Telangana dairy plant

Godrej Agrovet’s dairy subsidiary, Creamline Dairy Products Ltd. (Godrej Jersey), has announced a ₹150-crore investment to set up a modern dairy processing facility in Telangana. The announcement was made after the company signed an MoU with the state government during the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025. The upcoming facility will be built on a 40-acre…
Solar chillers uplift women dairy farmers in Rajasthan

In a notable move toward sustainable rural dairy, solar-powered milk-chilling units are helping women dairy farmers in Rajasthan reduce wastage and improve incomes — a model increasingly being recognized as a template for climate-resilient dairy development. According to the report, these chillers — powered by solar energy (harnessing abundant sunshine) — allow smallholder milk producers…
Why the global milk business needs a structural shake-up

The New Zealand dairy stalwart Fonterra has sold its consumer dairy-brands (milk, butter, cheese) — including “Anchor” and “Mainland Cheese” — to French agribusiness giant Lactalis in late October 2025, in a deal approved by 88% of its 8,265 farmer-shareholders. This move delivered a substantial windfall — roughly NZ$400,000 per farmer — but also signals…
India–Russia deepen dairy & food-trade ties under 2025 summit

India and Russia have agreed to significantly expand bilateral cooperation in fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy trade, with focus on opening export access, listing Indian processors in Russian registries, and launching joint aquaculture, veterinary-health and value-addition programmes. At a high-level meeting on December 4, 2025 — coinciding with the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit — India’s…