Milk rules but exports lag: 2026 could change India’s dairy game

Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026—to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at [email protected].India has the milk but not the export muscle.That imbalance has defined its dairy sector for years: a country that is among the world’s largest milk producers, yet remains a marginal player in global dairy trade.

Its presence in international markets is still tiny, concentrated in a narrow set of products and constrained by gaps in quality, compliance, cold chains, and branding.Yet 2026 arrives at a moment when this long-standing mismatch is at an inflexion point. Dairy exports jumped sharply in FY25, scaling $490 million with volumes rising to over 113,350.4 tonnes—up from about $273 million and 63,738.47 tonnes a year earlier, as per data from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. Projections by the ministry of dairy and fisheries show India’s share in global milk supply rising to 32% in FY26 from 25% in FY25, underlining that production is no longer the constraint.A smaller but symbolic shift is appearing in value-added products.

Mint reported on 25 November that India is emerging as an unexpected player in the global mozzarella market, with exports rising to $2.29 million in FY25 from $0.71 million in FY24 and nil in FY23, according the commerce ministry. Shipments reached $3.29 million between April and September 2025—an over 1,200% year-on-year jump—even if overall volumes remain modest.And, perhaps, the most important step in this direction is that dairy brand Amul started selling its Amul Gold homogenized milk in gallon (3.78 litre)