What it is
Cow and buffalo milk collected through dairy co-operatives, private dairies and local dudhiyas. India is the largest milk producer.
Cow and buffalo milk (priced by fat and SNF %)A2 / desi cow milk
Where India produces it
- Uttar Pradesh
2023-24: 38780 thousand tonnes
- Rajasthan
2023-24: 34733 thousand tonnes
- Madhya Pradesh
2023-24: 21326 thousand tonnes
- Gujarat
2023-24: 18312 thousand tonnes
- Maharashtra
2023-24: 16045 thousand tonnes
Where imports come from
India is self-sufficient; dairy imports are small and need a Sanitary Import Permit.
Rules before you buy or sell
- FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
- Chilling within hours is essential; FSSAI sets bacterial and adulterant limits for raw and pasteurised milk.
- Imports of livestock products need a Sanitary Import Permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Storage and handling
Chill to about 4 °C at the bulk milk cooler; process within a day.
Businesses that use it
Milk Processing Plant (1,000 litres a day) →Paneer Making Unit →Ghee Making Unit →Curd (Dahi) Unit →Khoya (Mawa) Making Unit →Ice Cream Making Unit →Milk Powder Unit →Yogurt (Dahi) Plant →Cheese Slices →Milk-Based Products Unit (Ghee, Butter, Paneer, Sweets) →Casein from Skimmed Milk →Sweetened Condensed Milk Unit →Evaporated Milk (Canned) Unit →