Nestlé India’s dairy push: heritage meets innovation in 2025
Nestlé India is placing dairy squarely at the heart of its growth strategy, as revealed by Manav Sahni (Business Head – Dairy Business) ahead of his session at the forthcoming Pitch BrandTalk 2025 in Delhi. Sahni will speak on the theme “Dairy: At The Heart of Nestlé India” and outline how the company is combining its rich heritage in dairy (notably with brands like Milkmaid) with future-ready innovation to engage consumers in a fast-changing, unpredictable “BANI” world (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible).
Sahni’s address is expected to highlight several key thrusts: first, how the legacy brand Milkmaid continues to resonate with new-age consumers via digital content, creator-led recipes and an always-on engagement ecosystem; second, how Nestlé is raising the bar on health and indulgence by rolling out premium dairy formats such as lactose-free curd and fortified milks designed for India’s shifting palate; and third, how the opportunities of e-commerce, quick commerce and retail media are enabling deeper household penetration and brand relevance.
In an intensely competitive dairy industry that features both large cooperatives and agile regional players, Nestlé sees differentiation in two pillars: global-grade product and farm-to-pack traceability. Sahni will also address sustainability, pointing to Nestlé’s commitment to recyclable packaging, responsible sourcing of dairy raw materials, and building a purpose-driven dairy ecosystem aligned with the values of today’s conscious consumer. The broader implication is clear: dairy is no longer just about volume for the multinational FMCG but is becoming a platform for premiumisation, digital-first engagement and sustainability.
For India’s dairy processors, labs and value-chain participants, this shift is significant. The move by Nestlé signals that dairy is evolving from basic commodity processing to brand-led, technology-enabled, premium-driven business. This will likely drive higher demand for testing services (nutrient profiling, traceability verification), enable partnerships in value-added dairy formats and increase consumer expectations around quality, innovation and sustainability.
In short: Nestlé is betting that its heritage in dairy gives it credibility, and its investments in digital, premium-format and sustainable dairy give it direction — and the market will judge how well it delivers.
Source: Dairynews7x7 Nov 15th 2025 E&M