Industry Insights: Indian Dairy Industry in 2024

by Dollons Food Products Private Limited Advanced Milk & Dairy Processing Plant

Indian dairy industry is the world’s leading segment owing to its contribution to production in terms of both volume and varieties of dairy products. The growing trend continued phenomenally in 2023. Before peeping into the growth projections of the Indian Dairy Industry in 2024, let us go through some vital changes that it transited through in 2023.

Buffalo rearing gaining popularity for milk farmers

Farmers are increasingly choosing to raise buffalo over bovine dairy cows due to a significant increase in milk prices in 2023, particularly for milk fat. Buffalo milk has a higher fat content than bovine dairy cow milk, making it more profitable for farmers to sell. Additionally, the disposal of dry buffalo cows for slaughter and hides further increases the economic benefits of raising buffalo over bovine dairy cows. The Indian government hopes to increase the size of the country’s buffalo herd as a result of these factors.

Integrated Veterinary Health Certificate for import of Milk and Milk Products

On July 17, 2023, India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying/Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying published Office Memorandum (OM) L-11/1/2019-Trade (E-11542). This memorandum grants additional transition time to stakeholders before the implementation of the requirement of the integrated veterinary health certificate (VHC) for the import of milk and milk products into India.

The new date of implementation was set for December 31, 2023, and is active now. The timeline has been extended to provide “Ease of Doing Business,” as well as support various representations received from industry stakeholders to delay the effective implementation date. This marked the government’s intent to append space and ease in global business for the Indian dairy industry.

Specific value and affordability are driven by input costs

The dairy industry has been severely impacted by inflation in 2022 and 2023. Rising input costs have resulted in lower profits for dairy farmers and higher prices for consumers. Producers have been faced with the challenge of implementing pricing strategies—including necessary price adjustments that may need to be passed on to consumers—while simultaneously maintaining competitiveness. In such cases, it is essential to emphasize specific values, such as sustainability or functionality, and ideally multifunctionality (such as promoting both gut health and increased energy). Alternatively, in different circumstances, thoughtfully exploring value-for-money options is necessary to meet the diverse demands of customers.

Introduction & Popularity of Next-generation Products

The dairy industry is constantly changing. In 2023, there has been a strong focus on health-promoting properties, particularly through the addition of high-quality protein, probiotics, and prebiotics. This evolution allows dairy products to serve as versatile vehicles for delivering a wide range of benefits. For instance, probiotics and prebiotics, which have traditionally been associated with digestive and immune health, are increasingly being incorporated into dairy formulations to promote a balanced gut microbiome, which may have an impact on cognitive functions such as mood, stress management, and mental clarity.

Yogurt, which has the highest global penetration of probiotics, is poised to achieve a 3.4% CAGR over 2023-2028.
GII Research

Indulgence, new occasions, and convenience to enhance experience

The dairy industry is undergoing a shift towards indulgence and new eating occasions, which is providing consumers with new experiences that align with their evolving lifestyles. It is important to note the significance of self-indulgence, especially during times of stress and burnout. There may be interesting opportunities with rich, creamy, and appealing flavors that provide consumers with an immersive sensory experience. Additionally, convenience and on-the-go formats are essential components of propositions with a higher specific value, particularly for time-strapped consumers.

Indian Dairy Industry Landscape in 2024

Before we discuss the upcoming trends in the Indian Dairy Industry in 2024, let us go through a quick snapshot of the projection figures:

Liquid milk will undoubtedly continue to be the primary product segment in the market. This is because it is an essential part of everyday consumption, and is nutritionally important as a staple food, with wider acceptance.
A2 milk is the fastest-growing segment in the dairy market. Consumer beliefs about its higher digestibility and potential health benefits in comparison to standard milk drive this growth.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest regional market. This is due to its position as the most populous state and a strong agricultural economy where dairy farming is a major livelihood source.
Delhi is the most rapidly expanding regional market. This growth is due to the growing population, higher income levels, and a cosmopolitan culture that increases the demand for diverse dairy products.

New Dairy Industry Drivers in 2024

Escalating Consumption Spurs the Industry

Rising consumption is the major driving factor of the Indian dairy industry. Population growth and increasing income levels are fueling this rise.
As the population continues to grow, the demand for dairy products is increasing, providing a large consumer base for the industry.
Rising affluence has also enabled a larger segment of the population to spend more on nutritious food items, with dairy products being a traditional staple in Indian diets.
This combination of demographic expansion and enhanced purchasing power has compelled dairy producers to scale up operations and innovate, ensuring steady market growth.

Increasing Health Awareness Among Indian Consumers

There is an increasing preference for dairy products as a source of essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
This demand extends beyond traditional dairy items to value-added products such as flavored yogurts, fortified milk, and probiotic drinks.
Dairy companies are capitalizing on this trend by launching a range of products focusing on healthy eating habits. This will effectively tap into consumers’ desire for wellness through diet.

Changing Distribution Channels and Emergence of B2C Startups

With the rise of e-commerce and online grocery shopping, many new-age dairy startups are offering subscription-based models, home delivery services, and digitally enabled supply chains.
This approach not only ensures freshness and quality but also caters to the convenience sought by modern consumers.
These startups often focus on premium, organic, or specialized dairy products, differentiating themselves from traditional retail channels.
By using data analytics and consumer insights, these B2C startups can understand consumer preferences and offer personalized services.
This shift is changing consumer buying habits and forcing traditional players to rethink their distribution strategies. This will lead to a more consumer-centric dairy market in India.

Technological Advancements in Dairy Processing

Technological innovations are playing a crucial role in transforming the dairy industry. It covers different scopes in dairy farm management, milk processing, packaging, and supply chain logistics.
Indian dairy industry is implementing technologies like automation, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). The main goal is to enhance efficiency, improve product quality, and ensure safety.
These technologies also aid in better farm management practices, allowing for higher productivity and sustainability.
The adoption of cold chain technologies ensures that dairy products retain their freshness and nutritional value during transportation and storage.

Shift Towards Value-Added Dairy Products

There is a significant shift towards value-added dairy products like cheese, yogurt, flavored milk, and probiotic drinks.
These products offer greater margins and cater to the evolving consumer preferences for health, convenience, and variety.
The demand for these products is being driven by increasing health awareness, the rising middle class, and changing dietary habits.
Dairy companies are investing in new product development and marketing strategies. This is to capture this growing segment, diversifying beyond traditional milk products.

The Bottomline

Indian Dairy Industry encompasses a huge segment of the economy in terms of employment and contribution to GDP. Additionally, it leads the charts in meeting daily consumption demands. Therefore, is highly receptive to instant consumer behavior. India was the largest producer as well as consumer of milk and dairy products in the world in 2023. The same will certainly be maintained in 2024 as well.

Owing to all these facts, 2024 will seem to be challenging for dairy manufacturing units in India. That is owing to changes in consumer behavior, there will be changes in regulatory and compliance policies. Additionally, the change in consumer preferences and purchase behavior will significantly affect the supply, storage, and customer acquisition practices. But, irrespective of these, the best news is that the Indian Dairy Industry in 2024 will certainly grow rapidly and open numerous avenues for ancillary business models and associations.