India’s Buffalo-Milk Mozzarella Exports Are Booming
India is rapidly scaling up its exports of mozzarella cheese, fueled primarily by buffalo milk, signaling a transformed dairy narrative for the country. According to recent data, export volumes of Indian-made mozzarella have more than doubled in just a few years.
The growth is powered by a growing export base in Asia and the Middle East. Buyers in these regions are increasingly turning to Indian buffalo-milk cheese for both its taste and cost-competitiveness, giving Indian dairy an edge in global value-added markets.
Part of this export surge can be attributed to the rising buffalo milk supply in India. With a robust buffalo dairy base and growing processing capacity, Indian cheese makers are able to produce high-quality mozzarella that meets international standards. This is not a small feat: exporting mozz from buffalo milk demands strict quality control, and Indian dairies are now relatively well equipped.
The dairy exporters see this as a structural shift. Rather than simply shipping milk or skimmed powder, India is now exporting value-added dairy products. That’s a major move up the value chain — which could bring more revenue per liter of milk, and better earnings for farmers.
India’s mozzarella cheese exports have grown at an exceptional pace, rising from US$ 0.71 million in FY24 to US$ 2.29 million in FY25, and further accelerating to US$ 3.29 million in just April–September 2025, marking a year-on-year jump of more than 1,200%.
During this period, India’s overall dairy exports reached US$ 492.9 million, supported largely by aggressive growth in buffalo-milk mozzarella, which benefits from the fact that 55% of India’s total milk production comes from buffalo milk, offering a natural cost and supply advantage. Export demand is driven strongly by the Middle East and neighbouring Asian markets, with Saudi Arabia importing US$ 2.38 million worth of Indian mozzarella in the April–September 2025 window alone, while Sri Lanka increased imports from US$ 0.07 million to US$ 0.47 million, and Bangladesh imported about US$ 0.14 million in the same period.
Export database insights show that India ships mozzarella and other cheeses to over 27 countries, and recorded 3,296 cheese export shipments between June 2024 and May 2025. Globally, India now stands among the top three exporters of buffalo-milk cheese, alongside Italy and leading EU producers, solidifying its position in a high-growth niche even though it remains a smaller player in the overall global cheese market.
Government-linked trade and dairy policy clears a favorable runway. Export incentives, improving cold-chain logistics, and a disciplined dairy sector are helping companies scale up cheese production. That said, exporters also note challenges: cost pressures from feed, freight, and competition from European cheese makers remain persistent.
Strategically, this export growth could reshape how India views its dairy surplus. Instead of focusing only on volume, dairies are now betting on quality, differentiation, and export demand. The global mozzarella market is expanding, and Indian buffalo-based cheese could become a strong differentiator.
For dairy stakeholders in India — farmers, co-ops, and processing companies — this developments offers a powerful play: “Make better milk, make better cheese, and export.” The shift also reinforces the importance of investing in buffalo milk infrastructure, cold chain investments, and export-focused cheese production.
Looking ahead, if India sustains this momentum, its buffalo-milk mozzarella could become a major export commodity. Over time, we could see Indian dairies competing not just on quantity but on specialty cheese — turning a traditional strength into a global franchise.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Nov 25th 2025 Mint