Kerala Insurer Penalised ₹1.3 Lakh for Denying Dairy Claims
A Kerala regulatory authority recently imposed a ₹1.3 lakh penalty on an insurance firm for unjustly rejecting claims submitted by dairy farmers under the state‑run Ksheera Santhwanam cattle insurance scheme. The scheme, implemented in collaboration with state dairy development bodies, covers livestock health, accidents, and even loss of animal income due to illness or heat stress,…
FDA Elevates Bunge’s Butter Recall to Class II Amid Milk Allergen Concerns
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a voluntary recall by Bunge North America of its NH European Style Butter Blend to a Class II status, the agency’s second-highest risk level, due to the presence of an undeclared milk allergen, a major allergen under FDA guidelines . Distributed beginning July 14 across 12 U.S. distribution centres…
India’s ₹2-Trillion Paneer Surge: A New Era for Cooperatives
The paneer (cottage cheese) market in India, valued at around ₹64,810 crore in 2024, is set to soar to over ₹2 trillion by 2033 . Despite this boom, more than 90% of consumption remains through local, unpackaged dairies, leaving organized players like Amul, Mother Dairy, Heritage Foods, Milky Mist and Parag Milk Foods with under a 10%…
Tamil Nadu Govt Mulls ₹3 / L Milk Price Hike in Aavin
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Mano Thangaraj, confirmed that the DMK administration previously raised cooperative milk procurement prices by ₹3 per litre. In addition, farmers currently earn quality‑based incentives of ₹3/litre, plus ₹1/litre extra for premium quality milk. The government is now considering another procurement price hike—subject to approval by the Chief…
Desi Farms Acquires Suruchi Dairy For INR 130 Cr
Pune-based D2C dairy brand Desi Farms has acquired Suruchi Dairy, a much larger and older dairy company, for about INR 130 Cr in an all-cash deal. While Desi Farms acquired a 51% stake in Suruchi Dairy in June, it will acquire the remaining 49% stake next month, Desi Farms founder and CEO Sunil Shahi told Inc42. To…
Cabinet approves Rs 2000 Crore grant in aid to NCDC
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the Central Sector Scheme “Grant in aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)” with an outlay of Rs.2000 crore for a period of four years from 2025-26 to 2028- 29 (Rs.500 crore each year from FY 2025-26). On the basis of…
Don’t Trade India’s Dairy for a Deal with the U.S
Today I was invited to a panel discussion on the India-US Trade Deal, organised by Bharat Krishak Samaj. The session was opened by Ajay Vir Jakhar, who, referring to the pre-decided title of the program, jokingly asked, “What should we call this program now—India-US No Deal?” The hall erupted in laughter, instantly setting the tone…
China Set to Boost Whole Milk Powder Imports
According to the USDA and industry projections, China is expected to significantly increase imports of whole milk powder (WMP) in 2025 as domestic consumption strengthens. Rising urban incomes, continued protein-focused dietary shifts, and the recovery of foodservice demand are driving renewed appetite for WMP despite China’s large domestic dairy base . This demand uptick is…
Goa’s Monthly Milk Output Falls Short of Daily Demand
According to data shared by Goa’s Animal Husbandry Minister Nilkant Halarnkar, the state’s milk procurement averages just 37,986 litres per month in FY 2024‑25, far below the average daily requirement of 48,818 litres. In the current fiscal up to June 2025, procurement slightly declined to 35,653 litres/month, while daily demand remains at 45,380 litres . The gap between monthly supply and…
Are lab-grown dairy proteins truly identical to natural dairy?
For centuries, nature has been humanity’s primary source of protein. But today, alongside fields, farms and seas, laboratories are joining the list, an innovation that is likely to reshape the future of food. By combining traditional fermentation and modern biotechnology, scientists are using genetically modified yeast that acts like tiny factories to produce lab-based proteins…