In this edition of Dairy News 7×7, we embark on a comprehensive analysis of India’s dairy exports to Saarc nations and Bangladesh in particular for milk powders.Drawing from data provided by APEDA and Indian Customs, Trademap and Suruchi research data we present an in-depth look at the trends and dynamics shaping the dairy export landscape.
Dairy exports from India
For India to fully leverage its substantial milk production, processors must prioritize export markets, facilitating better value addition and enhancing the sustainability of the nation’s 80 million small and marginal dairy farmers. This year in FY24, India’s dairy exports across six key categories (HS codes 0401 to 0406) fell short of last year’s value by Rs 10 crores, totaling Rs 2258 crores. Despite the lower export volume of approximately 62,500 MT—down by 5,000 MT from last year—the average realization per MT improved to Rs 361, compared to Rs 335 in the previous year.
This indicates a favorable shift towards higher value realization for Indian dairy products in international markets. In summary, while some categories like milk powders have seen a decline, others such as liquid milk, milk fat products, and cheese and curd are driving growth and high value realization in India’s dairy exports. The evolving dynamics underscore the need for strategic focus on enhancing product quality, value addition, and targeting high-potential markets to sustain and boost the export performance of Indian dairy products.
