ABC Farms Pioneer Helped Shape India's Cheese Market

Long before artisanal cheese became popular in India, Sohrab Chinoy, founder of ABC Farms in Pune, transformed a recurring surplus of nearly 1,000 litres of unsold milk into one of the country's pioneering artisanal cheese businesses. A third-generation dairy entrepreneur whose family operated Mumbai's historic Byculla Dairy Farm, Chinoy returned from dairy training in Germany in 1976 and established ABC Farms in Pune with just 14 cows on a 27-acre property.

To overcome the high cost of imported equipment, he set up his first cheese factory with only ₹25,000, repurposing two 200-litre drums and second-hand refrigerators to begin production. Initially, consumer awareness was low, prompting ABC Farms to offer free cheese tastings before demand gradually grew.

The business gained momentum in the 1980s as internationally trained Indian chefs sought authentic cheeses such as Gouda, Cheddar, Bel Paese and Blue Cheese. A breakthrough came when Indian Airlines began sourcing ABC Farms' cheese for sandwiches and later served its cheese boards to first-class international passengers.

Now 77, Chinoy says artisanal cheese is gradually gaining wider acceptance as more consumers recognize its nutritional value. His journey demonstrates how innovation, resourcefulness and value addition transformed surplus milk into a premium dairy business that helped shape India's artisanal cheese industry.

Source: Dairynews7x7 30 June, 2026 Read full story here