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-NZ FTA Talks Stalled Over Dairy Market Access
Negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand are currently impeded by concerns over opening India’s dairy market to New Zealand’s exports. New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, emphasized the significance of dairy in the trade talks during his recent visit to India. He acknowledged the…
China’s Milk Output Falls Amid Shifting Consumer Tastes
China’s dairy industry is experiencing its first production decline in five years, with liquid milk output dropping 2.8% to 27.4 million tons in 2024. Total dairy product output also fell by 1.9% to 29.6 million tons, marking a significant shift from the previous years’ growth trends. This downturn is attributed to evolving consumer preferences and…
Nepal lifts ban on select dairy imports from India
Nepal has recently lifted a partial ban on the import of specific dairy products from India, notably whey and certain varieties of cheese. This decision follows a bilateral agreement reached during the Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade held in Kathmandu in January 2025. The initial ban,…
One in Three Indians Drinks Milk Daily
Despite rising milk prices and a significant prevalence of lactose intolerance, milk remains a staple in the Indian diet. A recent study highlights that one in three Indians consumes milk daily, underscoring its cultural and nutritional importance. Milk’s central role in Indian households is evident, even as consumers face challenges. Surveys indicate that approximately 60%…
Crèmeitalia Secures ₹18 Cr to Expand Premium Cheese Reach
Mumbai-based gourmet cheese startup Crèmeitalia has raised ₹18 crore (approximately $2.1 million) in a Series A funding round led by the Amit Jatia Family Office, with participation from BL Taparia Family Office (B2V Ventures), Sixth Sense Ventures’ Nikhil Vora, and other prominent investors. The capital will be utilized to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D…
Dairy Executives Prioritize Costs and AI Amid 2025 Optimism
McKinsey & Company’s seventh annual U.S. Dairy Leadership Survey, conducted in late 2024 with over 100 industry executives, reveals a sector under pressure yet hopeful for 2025. Key challenges include reduced herd sizes, inflation, labor shortages, and the emergence of avian influenza in North American cows in March 2024. Additionally, shifting international trade policies have…
U.S. Butter Prices Dip in 2025 Amid Milk Supply Constraints
In 2025, U.S. butter prices are projected to average $2.445 per pound, a decrease from the 2024 average of $2.89 per pound. Despite this decline, prices remain significantly higher than pre-2024 levels. The USDA reports that milk production in 2024 decreased by 0.2% to 226 billion pounds, with the average number of milk cows dropping…
Amul Boosts Milk Price, Cuts Feed Cost to Aid Farmers
Amul Dairy, headquartered in Anand, Gujarat, has announced a strategic move to support its extensive network of over 700,000 milk producers across Anand, Kheda, and Mahisagar districts. Effective June 1, 2025, the cooperative will increase the milk procurement price by ₹10 per kilogram of fat, raising it from ₹855 to ₹865—the highest rate in Gujarat…
Sahakar Bharati Hosts Dairy Convention in Gujarat
Sahakar Bharati’s Dairy Cell organized a two-day national convention at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) auditorium in Anand, Gujarat, on May 24 and 25. The event gathered prominent figures from India’s dairy sector, including Gujarat’s Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma, Amul Dairy Chairman Vipul Patel, NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah, GCMMF Chairman Shamal Patel, and Sahakar…