Amul Global Expansion: Bold Licensing Model Takes Fresh Milk to US and Spain, 10 More Markets Next

The Amul global expansion is taking a route few dairy brands have tried. Instead of shipping fresh milk from India, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is licensing the Amul name and its quality standards to farmer-owned co-operatives abroad. Partner dairies collect, process and pack milk to Amul's specifications and sell it in their own markets.

The model is already running in the United States and Spain, and GCMMF has identified ten more territories across Southeast Asia and Africa.

How the Amul global expansion works

GCMMF does not build or buy plants overseas. It signs up partner co-operatives that already have milk pools, processing lines and cold chains. The partner supplies the milk and the plant; Amul supplies the brand, the product standards and the quality rules.

Those rules are specific. Amul's specifications cover pasteurisation temperatures, homogenisation pressures and butterfat testing, and every pack must also meet the food laws of the country where it is sold. Keeping taste and composition consistent across plants that Amul does not own is the central operating challenge of the model.

Amul milk in the USA: the Michigan partnership

In the United States, Amul works with the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), using its milk collection system and bottling plants. Amul first launched fresh milk in the US in 2024 through this partnership. Four variants are sold, positioned on fat content:

• Amul Gold: 6% milkfat
• Amul Shakti: 4.5% milkfat
• Amul Taaza: 3.25% milkfat
• Amul Slim & Trim: 2% milkfat

Higher milkfat is the main point of difference against private-label milk on American shelves, along with strong brand recognition among Indian diaspora shoppers.

COVAP brings Amul Gold to Spain

In Western Europe, the partner is COVAP (Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches), a large co-operative in Andalusia. COVAP processes Amul Gold at its own facilities, and the milk reaches urban grocery channels in Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon.

Ten more markets in the next phase of Amul global expansion

GCMMF is preparing to apply the same arrangement in emerging markets. Ten additional territories across Southeast Asia and Africa have been identified for entry. Launch dates and partner names have not yet been announced.

Why licensing beats exporting fresh milk

Fresh milk is one of the hardest food products to trade. It has a short shelf life, needs refrigerated freight and faces strict sanitary rules at most borders. That is why Amul's exports have traditionally been long-life products such as ghee, canned processed cheese and milk powder.

Licensing removes those barriers and keeps capital needs low. Rather than building factories or acquiring companies, GCMMF uses the assets of partner co-operatives and earns licensing fees, while the partners earn processing revenue. Local production also gives Amul immediate access to established retail networks, from neighbourhood stores serving Indian communities to mainstream supermarkets.

What the Amul global expansion means for Indian dairy farmers

Milk sold under the Amul name in Michigan or Madrid comes from American and Spanish farmers, not Indian ones. The overseas business adds brand value and licensing income without drawing on India's milk pool.

At home, Amul's supply base remains more than 3.6 million smallholder farmers organised in about 18,600 village societies in Gujarat. GCMMF recorded sales of ₹73,450 crore, and the Amul brand's turnover rose 11% in 2025–26 to cross ₹1 lakh crore. Brand Finance reported a 24% rise in Amul's brand equity, which it linked largely to the North American launch.

The approach also fits India's trade position. India produced 247.87 million tonnes of milk in 2024–25 and has kept dairy out of its trade deals to protect small producers. Licensing lets the country's largest dairy co-operative grow overseas while the domestic market stays protected.

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Amul global expansion: frequently asked questions

How is Amul selling fresh milk in the USA?

Through a licensing partnership with the Michigan Milk Producers Association, which collects, processes and bottles milk to Amul's specifications.

Does Amul export milk from India to the US?

No. The milk is sourced and processed locally by the partner co-operative. Amul's exports from India remain long-life products such as ghee, cheese and milk powder.

Which company makes Amul milk in Spain?

COVAP, a dairy co-operative in Andalusia, processes Amul Gold at its own plants.

Where will Amul go next?

GCMMF has identified ten more territories in Southeast Asia and Africa for the next stage of the Amul global expansion.

Sources: DairyNews.today, eDairyNews and Amul.