Global Dairy Dynamics: Innovation, Sustainability & Inclusion
The International Dairy Processing Conference (IDPC) 2026, organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi on 7 January 2026, will serve as a landmark forum uniting global dairy leaders to shape the future of dairy processing, trade and sustainability. The event brings together policymakers, industry pioneers, researchers and technology innovators for a comprehensive, day-long dialogue on key themes including Vision 2047 for India’s dairy sector, global market dynamics, innovation in processing technologies, quality and food safety standards, and inclusive growth strategies across the value chain. The conference structure, featuring two plenary sessions and eight specialised sessions, is designed to create actionable insights and collaborations that drive both industry growth and global competitiveness.
Plenary Session 2 — “Global Dairy Dynamics: Innovation, Sustainability & Inclusion” will be a focal point of the agenda, bringing global vantage points to bear on how the dairy sector is responding to evolving consumption patterns, sustainability pressures and technological shifts. Against a backdrop of modest global milk production growth of approximately 1–1.5% annually, industry leaders will delve into how innovation rather than volume is increasingly the driver of value growth across markets. The session is positioned to highlight international trends showing stagnation in traditional liquid milk consumption in mature markets, and offsetting opportunities emerging in cheese, whey proteins, functional dairy and specialised nutritional products, all of which reflect shifting consumer preferences and higher value capture.
A key marketplace imperative discussed will be the integration of sustainability as a commercial requirement rather than a voluntary commitment. In Europe and North America, carbon footprint disclosures, traceability systems and responsible sourcing are fast becoming prerequisites for market access and buyer preference, particularly among institutional and export channels. India, with its predominantly smallholder-centric dairy ecosystem, holds a natural advantage in terms of low capital intensity and high participation, but will need to build rigorous measurement, reporting and efficiency frameworks to align with these international benchmarks. The session will explore pathways to institutionalise such frameworks without compromising inclusivity, particularly for rural producers and community-based enterprises.
Another area of focus will be India’s position in global dairy trade, where exports currently hover around USD 600–700 million, dominated by products such as ghee, SMP, butter oil and caseinates, yet remain a fraction of the sector’s potential. IDPC speakers and panelists are expected to underscore the need for product diversification into higher-value ingredients and branded consumer goods, enhanced market hedging strategies to mitigate global price volatility, and deeper engagement in international partnerships for technology transfer and market access. Partnerships are emerging as a key driver of global dairy growth, and session contributors are likely to present case studies on how cross-border collaborations in membrane technology, energy-efficient processing and advanced quality systems have accelerated competitiveness in other countries.
Sustainability at the intersection of inclusion will also be a key narrative. Globally, the dairy conversation has expanded to encompass farmer income security, women’s participation and youth engagement in value chains. India’s dairy sector already boasts a significant social strength, with women playing crucial roles in animal care, milk production and cooperative governance. Aligning these strengths with robust sustainability frameworks — including reduced environmental impact, fair trade practices and community-oriented value sharing — could elevate India’s dairy sector on global platforms, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern markets where collaborative growth is increasingly appreciated. IDPC Global
The session will also spotlight the role of innovation — from precision feeding and digital herd management to smart factories and ingredient innovation — as a differentiator for dairy competitiveness. While investment in R&D remains concentrated in developed markets, Indian industry leaders are expected to discuss scalable models that adapt these innovations to price-sensitive, high-volume markets without excluding the smallholder base. Through such engagement, the session aims to chart pathways that balance domestic priorities with global benchmarks, marrying “affordability with responsibility” and “growth with inclusion.”
The IDPC agenda overall underscores TPCI’s mission to foster a globally connected, collaboration-driven and innovation-led dairy sector, where India not only participates in but also shapes global dairy dynamics. With delegates including processors, cooperatives, researchers, policymakers and technology partners — and with concurrent networking and partnership platforms — the event promises to be a catalyst for transformative industry strategies heading into the next decade.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Dec 18th 2025 TPCI write up on Plenary session by Kuldeep Sharma