Did India Achieve an 80% Increase in Dairy Exports for 2024-25?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's dairy exports grew by 80% in 2024-25.
- Total exports reached $492.9 million.
- Volume of dairy exports increased to 113,350.4 metric tonnes.
- India is the world's largest milk producer, contributing 25% of global supply.
- Government initiatives are in place to support the dairy sector.
New Delhi, Aug 20 (NationPress) India has achieved a remarkable 80% increase in its dairy product exports, reaching $492.9 million during the financial year 2024-25. This significant growth positions dairy as a vital source of foreign exchange within the food sector.
In terms of volume, India exported 113,350.4 metric tonnes of dairy products, marking a 77.9% rise compared to the previous fiscal year 2023-24, as per the latest official data.
Key markets for Indian dairy exports include the United Arab Emirates, United States, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
Since 1998, India has held the top position globally in milk production, contributing to 25% of worldwide milk supply.
Over the last decade, India's milk production surged by 63.56%, climbing from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 239.2 million tonnes in 2023-24, reflecting an annual growth rate of 5.7%. In contrast, global milk production grows at only 2% yearly, according to Parliament's official reports.
Per capita milk availability in India has seen an impressive 48% increase over ten years, reaching more than 471 grams per person per day for the year 2023-24, compared to the global average of 322 grams.
The minister also elaborated on various government initiatives aimed at strengthening the dairy sector.
The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) aims to enhance milk production and processing infrastructure across the nation, complementing efforts by state governments.
To support State Dairy Cooperative Federations, the Centre offers interest subsidies on working capital loans to help them navigate challenging market situations and natural disasters.
Additionally, the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is available to finance projects by entrepreneurs, Dairy Cooperatives, and other organizations focused on processing and value addition in the animal husbandry sector.
Under this scheme, credit facilities are intended for establishing dairy processing infrastructure, manufacturing animal feed, improving breeding technologies, and producing veterinary vaccines and drugs.
To boost milk production and improve bovine productivity, the government is implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which focuses on conserving indigenous breeds and enhancing genetic quality.
The National Livestock Mission (NLM) aims to enhance entrepreneurship and breed improvement across various livestock sectors, including poultry and goats, by providing incentives to individuals and state governments for infrastructure development.
Moreover, the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme emphasizes prophylactic vaccinations, veterinary services capacity building, and disease surveillance, as noted by the minister.