India has quietly stepped into the global mozzarella arena, challenging long-established Western suppliers and surprising many trade partners who still push New Delhi for wider dairy market access.
Government data reviewed by Mint shows a remarkable surge: mozzarella exports rose from zero in FY23 to $0.71 million in FY24, then skyrocketed to $2.29 million in FY25. The momentum continued this year, with shipments touching $3.29 million in April–September 2025, a year-on-year jump of over 1,200%.
Overall dairy exports also touched $493 million in FY25, up 80% from the previous year.
Why India’s Mozzarella Is in Demand
Experts credit the boom to three major trends:
- Global pizza demand is soaring, especially in Asia and the Middle East.
- Buffalo-milk mozzarella—India’s specialty—has a firmer texture and higher fat content, making it ideal for pizza.
- Government incentives, particularly the 2021 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, pushed dairies to expand capacity and modernize.
Tarun Shridhar, former secretary of animal husbandry and dairying, notes that buffalo milk gives India a natural edge: as the country with the world’s largest buffalo population, India can produce a variety of mozzarella that global buyers are starting to recognize for its quality.
Industry Response and New Investments
Major dairy companies have expanded aggressively.
Amul alone has invested ₹200 crore to scale up buffalo-milk mozzarella production for export.
R.S. Sodhi, president of the Indian Dairy Association, said India now has surplus cheese capacity and is increasingly competitive in global dairy pricing, especially in butter and cheese.
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Demand is rising from the Middle East, North Africa (including Morocco and Egypt), and even Georgia. For many exporters, mozzarella is also easier to ship than cheddar, which requires longer aging, specialized storage, and stronger branding.
Leading Exporters
Key players driving India’s mozzarella exports include:
- Amul
- Milky Mist
- Schreiber Dynamix
A Sign of India Moving Up the Dairy Value Chain
Buffalo-milk mozzarella gives India a differentiated product in a rapidly expanding global cheese market. With growing demand, competitive pricing, and government-backed capacity expansion, India’s dairy sector is beginning to move decisively into higher-value dairy products—marking an important shift for an industry long focused on fluid milk.
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Disclaimer
I do my best to share reliable and well-researched market insights but occasional errors or omissions may slip through. Please view all content as informational, not financial advice.
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