Women-Led Dairy Co-ops on the Rise: A New Chapter for Indian Dairying
The Ministry of Cooperation has recently highlighted a growing trend of women-led dairy cooperatives across India. Women are increasingly taking charge of critical dairy operations — not just in milk production, but also procurement, processing and marketing. This shift is being recognized as a powerful instrument for improving transparency, boosting incomes and uplifting the social…
More Milk, Less Money: India’s Dairy Crisis
With the release of the BAHS 2025 summary report, I felt compelled to deep dive into its findings and reflect on the real progress and challenges facing India’s dairy sector. Over the last six years, India’s dairy sector has continued to consolidate its global leadership, even as deeper structural challenges around farmer incomes, sustainability, and…
Dholpur Fresh Hitech Dairy Plant Inaugurated in Kanpur
Dholpur Fresh, Hitech Dairy Processing Plant was inaugurated today in Kanpur in a prestigious and high-profile ceremony. Chairman Shri Krishna Murari Lal Agarwal, along with Directors Shri Tarun Agarwal and Shri Govind Agarwal, extended a warm welcome to Shri B. Chandramogan, Chairman of Hatsun Agro Ltd — India’s largest private-sector dairy. Hatsun Agro, a highly…
India Dairy Market Forced Open: Global Shakeup Begins
Intense global trade pressure from major exporters is challenging India’s massive, protected milk production system, signaling major export opportunities. India, which boasts the world’s largest herd and a predominantly small-scale, domestic-focused milk production system, is facing unprecedented pressure to dismantle its formidable trade barriers. Historically shielded by prohibitive tariffs and non-tariff barriers, the Indian dairy market has remained largely inaccessible to international dairy…
UK Milk Prices Drop as Oversupply Pressures Dairy Farmers
In a fresh sign of stress in Europe’s dairy markets, two major UK milk processors — Arla Foods and Müller Milk & Ingredients — have announced cuts to their farm-gate milk prices, citing a surge in global and European milk supply that continues to outpace retail and industrial demand. Starting 1 December 2025, Arla will…
Dairy industry hits back as drinks levy expands to milk drinks
In a controversial policy shift, the government decided to extend the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) to include milk-based drinks such as flavored milks, yogurt drinks, bottled milkshakes and similar pre-packaged dairy beverages. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from industry representatives. Provision Trade Federation (PTF), which represents many food-processing and dairy-related firms in the…
Heritage Foods: From Village Farmers to Tech-Enabled Dairy Powerhouse
Heritage Foods — a leading private dairy company in India — is rapidly reshaping its business around three core principles: farmer empowerment, quality dairy production, and technology-driven scalability. Under the leadership of Srideep N. Kesavan, CEO (appointed 2021), Heritage Foods is pivoting strongly toward value-added dairy (VAD) and innovation, while continuing to support thousands of…
Patanjali Ghee Fails Quality Test — Rs 1.40 Lakh Fine Imposed
A court in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand has fined Patanjali Ayurved Ltd ₹ 1,00,000 after a sample of their cow-ghee failed quality tests at both a state-level lab (in Rudrapur) and a national lab (in Ghaziabad). The fine also extends to the distributor and retailer involved, who have been penalised ₹ 25,000 and ₹ 15,000 respectively —…
Himachal’s Milkfed Cuts Retail Milk Price by Rs3–Rs4/L
Himachal Pradesh’s leading dairy cooperative, Milkfed, has announced a reduction in milk prices — dropping rates by ₹3 to ₹4 per litre. Loose cow-milk will now sell at ₹51 per litre, down from ₹55, while packaged “Him Gauri” milk has been priced at ₹55 per litre, reduced from ₹58. The price cut comes soon after…
Dairy Day Poised for Rs 1,000 Cr Revenue — Eyeing Big Growth
Bengaluru-based Dairy Day, backed by private-equity firm Kedaara Capital, is projecting annual revenue of ₹1,000 crore this year as it scales up operations and strengthens its regional presence across South and West India. Founded in 2002 by promoters M.N. Jaganath and A. Balaraju, Dairy Day has built a network of over 50,000 retailers across the…