Imports & ExportsStart exporting

Processed food

Export dairy products

Ghee, milk powder, paneer and butter, mostly to the Gulf and the USA. EIC-approved plants and buyer-country health certificates are needed.

Free to exportHS 0401–0406
HS code
0401–0406
Milk and cream (0401–0402), yoghurt and buttermilk (0403), whey (0404), butter and ghee (0405) and cheese and paneer (0406).
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS). Milk and milk products are notified for export inspection by EIC (notifications of 9 Nov 2020): the plant must be approved, and consignments certified where the importing country requires it. Confirm the current list of markets on EIC.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 407 mn
to 82 countries

What is exported

India is the world’s largest milk producer, with 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25. Dairy exports in 2025-26 were 97,525 tonnes worth US$ 407 million, mainly to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Bhutan and Bahrain. Ghee, skimmed milk powder and butter are the main lines.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Ghee (0405 90 20)Cow and buffalo ghee in tins and jars — the main dairy export for diaspora markets.
  • Skimmed milk powder (SMP)Bulk ingredient sold on price; volumes swing with world prices.
  • Butter and butter oilFor food-service and industry.
  • Paneer and cheese (0406)Frozen paneer for diaspora stores; processed cheese.

Where it is grown or made

  • GujaratAnand and the cooperative dairy network.
  • Uttar PradeshLargest milk producer (15.66%).
  • Rajasthan and Madhya PradeshRajasthan 14.82%, MP 9.12% of milk output.
  • Maharashtra and PunjabPrivate and cooperative plants making ghee and powders.

Export packing

  • Ghee in 200 ml–15 kg tins, jars and pouches; bulk in drums for repackers.
  • Milk powder in 25 kg multi-wall bags with a poly liner.
  • Only from EIC-approved plants with a veterinary/health certificate per consignment.

Who buys abroad

  • Importers and hypermarkets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
  • Ethnic Indian grocers in the USA
  • Food manufacturers and traders in Bhutan, Bangladesh and South-East Asia

The quality buyers ask for

Ghee
Milk fat, moisture, Reichert-Meissl value and other purity tests per FSSAI and the AGMARK Ghee Grading and Marking Rules, 2024; Codex milkfat products (CXS 280-1973)
Milk powders
Codex CXS 207-1999: whole milk powder 26–42% fat, skimmed milk powder 1.5% fat maximum, moisture 5% maximum, protein at least 34% of milk solids-not-fat
Butter
Codex CXS 279-1971: at least 80% milk fat; AGMARK creamery butter grades
Residues and contaminants
Antibiotic and pesticide residues, aflatoxin M1 and melamine within the destination’s limits
Microbiology
Plate count, coliforms, Salmonella and Listeria tested per the buyer and veterinary certificate

Certificates

  • EIC plant approval and health certificateRequiredMilk and milk products are notified for EIC export inspection: the plant must be approved, and consignments certified where the importing country requires it.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management system certification. FSSC 22000 is recognised by GFSI, which large retailers and brand owners look for.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia, especially for processed and animal-origin foods. Use a body the destination recognises.
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that identifies hazards at each processing step and controls them. Most importers ask for it from the processing unit.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Ghee in tins or jars in cartons, and milk powder in 25 kg multi-wall bags, go in dry containers (a 20-ft typically about 16–20 tonnes of powder). Butter and cheese need reefers.

How it travels

Sea freight from Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Chennai; land routes to Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.

Storage

Cool and dry for ghee and powder; frozen (typically –18 °C) for butter; chilled for cheese.

Shelf life

Ghee and milk powder typically 12–24 months in sealed packs, depending on pack and storage.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, and origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in both US and metric units, ingredients, allergens, name and place of business of the packer or distributor, Nutrition Facts unless exempt; and “Product of India” marking (19 CFR 134).
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and the importer’s details. Confirm the current rules with your importer.
  • Many markets require the approved plant number on each pack, matching the veterinary or health certificate.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and bag — FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 require it, and every importing country uses it to trace and recall.
Where to get it tested

EIC/EIA laboratories and EIC-approved labs test milk products for export certification (eicindia.gov.in). The NDDB’s CALF laboratory at Anand and other NABL-accredited labs (search nabl-india.org) test residues, aflatoxin M1 and purity.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • FSSAIFood business licence. FSSAI rules put food exporters under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • Export Inspection Council (EIC)Approval of the dairy plant by the Export Inspection Agency and an export/health certificate per consignment where required.eicindia.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Microbiology, antibiotic and veterinary drug residues, aflatoxin M1 and melamine as required by the buyer.
  • Country listing: some markets accept dairy only from listed establishments; Russia has its own advisory (APEDA, 7 Aug 2026).
  • Halal certification is often asked for in Gulf markets.
How to start small

Do not start with fresh milk products. Begin with ghee in tins or jars from an EIC-approved, FSSAI-licensed dairy, shipped LCL to a Gulf distributor, and check the importer’s registration needs first.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Buying ghee from a plant that is not EIC-approved — the health certificate cannot be issued.
  • Assuming every market accepts Indian dairy; several large markets limit or close access. Check before quoting.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (3)
  1. APEDA — Dairy Products profile (exports and destinations 2025-26)
  2. APEDA — Animal Products (incl. advisory for dairy exports to Russia, Aug 2026)
  3. EIC — Executive instructions for export of milk and milk products

Trade data

Indian dairy products exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 407 mn
+15.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -17.4%
US$ 493 mn → US$ 407 mn
Buyer countries
82
Average export price
US$ 4.18
per kg · 97,527 tonnes shipped · US$ 4.35 the year before
United Arab Emirates: US$ 80.1 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 57.2 mnUnited States of America: US$ 35.2 mnBhutan: US$ 24.8 mnQatar: US$ 22.2 mnSingapore: US$ 21.5 mnEgypt: US$ 14.2 mnIndonesia: US$ 14 mnVietnam: US$ 11.8 mnAustralia: US$ 11.4 mnBangladesh: US$ 9.2 mnOman: US$ 8.5 mnMalaysia: US$ 7.7 mnRussia: US$ 5 mnKuwait: US$ 4.7 mnSri Lanka: US$ 3.9 mnMauritius: US$ 3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 80.1 mnUnited Arab EmiratesSaudi Arabia: US$ 57.2 mnUnited States of America: US$ 35.2 mnUnited States of AmericaBhutan: US$ 24.8 mnBhutanQatar: US$ 22.2 mnSingapore: US$ 21.5 mnSingaporeEgypt: US$ 14.2 mnEgyptIndonesia: US$ 14 mnIndonesiaVietnam: US$ 11.8 mnAustralia: US$ 11.4 mnBangladesh: US$ 9.2 mnOman: US$ 8.5 mnMalaysia: US$ 7.7 mnRussia: US$ 5 mnKuwait: US$ 4.7 mnSri Lanka: US$ 3.9 mnMauritius: US$ 3 mnIndia
Where Indian dairy products goes — among our 30 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 202 mn2022020-212021-22: US$ 392 mn3922021-222022-23: US$ 285 mn2852022-232023-24: US$ 273 mn2732023-242024-25: US$ 493 mn4932024-252025-26: US$ 407 mn4072025-26
India’s dairy products exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2024-25, lowest in 2021-22 — a 21% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 3.67 per kg2021-22: US$ 3.60 per kg3.602022-23: US$ 4.18 per kg2024-25: US$ 4.35 per kg4.352025-26: US$ 4.18 per kg4.182020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian dairy products · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 202 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 392 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 285 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 273 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 493 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 407 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 496 mn (US$ 344 mn – US$ 716 mn)4962026-272027-28: US$ 559 mn (US$ 372 mn – US$ 841 mn)5592027-28
India’s dairy products exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 559 mn

Likely range US$ 372 mn to US$ 841 mn.

Trend
+12.6% a year
Fit (R²)
0.46 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United Arab EmiratesUS$ 80.1 mn+4.6%
2Saudi ArabiaUS$ 57.2 mn-25.1%
3United States of AmericaUS$ 35.2 mn-17.7%
4BhutanUS$ 24.8 mn+2%
5BahrainUS$ 23.9 mn-60.7%
6QatarUS$ 22.2 mn+54.9%
7SingaporeUS$ 21.5 mn+7.9%
8EgyptUS$ 14.2 mn-49.5%
9IndonesiaUS$ 14 mn+41.4%
10MoroccoUS$ 12.1 mn-29%
11VietnamUS$ 11.8 mn+121.4%
12AustraliaUS$ 11.4 mn+7.3%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. MalaysiaUS$ 3.4 mn → US$ 7.7 mn+128.3%
  2. VietnamUS$ 5.3 mn → US$ 11.8 mn+121.4%
  3. QatarUS$ 14.4 mn → US$ 22.2 mn+54.9%
  4. IndonesiaUS$ 9.9 mn → US$ 14 mn+41.4%

Low demand

  1. GeorgiaUS$ 5.9 mn → US$ 0-100%
  2. BahrainUS$ 60.8 mn → US$ 23.9 mn-60.7%
  3. BangladeshUS$ 18.3 mn → US$ 9.2 mn-49.8%
  4. EgyptUS$ 28 mn → US$ 14.2 mn-49.5%
  5. OmanUS$ 15.3 mn → US$ 8.5 mn-44.8%
  6. RussiaUS$ 7.5 mn → US$ 5 mn-33.7%
  7. MoroccoUS$ 17.1 mn → US$ 12.1 mn-29%
  8. Saudi ArabiaUS$ 76.4 mn → US$ 57.2 mn-25.1%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Dairy produce, fats and oils derived from milk — melted butter (ghee)0405 90 20US$ 110 mn-6.5%14,834 tonnesUS$ 7.40 per kgwas US$ 7.15
Dairy produce, derived from milk, butter — butter0405 10 00US$ 97.2 mn-47.2%18,467 tonnesUS$ 5.26 per kgwas US$ 4.84
Other fats and oils dervtvd from milk0405 90 90 · Dairy produce, fats and oils derived from milkUS$ 54.9 mn-16.4%8,496 tonnesUS$ 6.46 per kgwas US$ 5.98
Dairy produce, cheese in heading no. 0406 — other cheese0406 90 00US$ 29.4 mn-4.8%6,587 tonnesUS$ 4.46 per kgwas US$ 4.58
Dairy produce, fats and oils derived from milk — butter oil0405 90 10US$ 24 mn+90%3,866 tonnesUS$ 6.21 per kgwas US$ 5.80
Processed cheese not grated/powdered0406 30 00 · Dairy produce, cheese, processedUS$ 19.9 mn+4.9%2,872 tonnesUS$ 6.92 per kgwas US$ 7.52
Dairy produce, milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in… — skimmed milk0402 10 10US$ 15.9 mn-12.6%5,449 tonnesUS$ 2.91 per kgwas US$ 2.65
Mlk and crm contng fat>1% but<=6% by weight0401 20 00 · Dairy produce, milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of…US$ 14.7 mn+16.1%19,935 tonnesUS$ 0.74 per kgwas US$ 0.76
Others-of-frsh chese(including whey chse)not frmntd and curd0406 10 90 · Dairy produce, fresh cheese, not fermented, and curdUS$ 6.4 mn+14.2%1,687 tonnesUS$ 3.76 per kgwas US$ 3.93
Milk, cream etc.. of a fat content, by weight, exceeding 10%0401 50 00 · Dairy produce, milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of…US$ 5.1 mn+47.6%3,291 tonnesUS$ 1.56 per kgwas US$ 1.16
Dairy produce, milk and cream, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, other than in powder… — other milk and crem0402 99 90US$ 4.6 mn+82%1,698 tonnesUS$ 2.68 per kgwas US$ 3.37
Dairy produce, fresh cheese, not fermented, and curd — mozzarella cheese0406 10 10US$ 4.5 mn+96.1%1,036 tonnesUS$ 4.33 per kgwas US$ 4.04
Dairy produce, milk and cream, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or… — othersn(e.g.milk cream)0402 29 90US$ 4.3 mn-1.6%853 tonnesUS$ 5.01 per kgwas US$ 5.43
Others(crold mlk,crm,kihir etc.)0403 90 90 · Dairy produce, buttermilk, curdled milk or cream, kephir, fermented or acidified milk or cream, whether or…US$ 3.8 mn+29.3%2,428 tonnesUS$ 1.58 per kgwas US$ 1.80

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 97.5 bn
2023
India among exporters
#45
of 155 countries
India’s share of world exports
0.2%
US$ 230 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 98.3 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 12.6 bn 12.8%
  2. 2New ZealandUS$ 11.9 bn 12.1%
  3. 3NetherlandsUS$ 10.8 bn 10.9%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 8.26 bn 8.4%
  5. 5USAUS$ 5.93 bn 6%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 5.88 bn 6%
  7. 7BelgiumUS$ 4.75 bn 4.8%
  8. 8IrelandUS$ 4.31 bn 4.4%
  9. 9PolandUS$ 3.16 bn 3.2%
  10. 10DenmarkUS$ 3.15 bn 3.2%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1GermanyUS$ 9.86 bn 10.1%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 7.25 bn 7.4%
  3. 3FranceUS$ 5.9 bn 6.1%
  4. 4NetherlandsUS$ 5.2 bn 5.3%
  5. 5ItalyUS$ 5.17 bn 5.3%
  6. 6BelgiumUS$ 4.6 bn 4.7%
  7. 7United KingdomUS$ 3.95 bn 4.1%
  8. 8USAUS$ 3.22 bn 3.3%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 3.02 bn 3.1%
  10. 10MexicoUS$ 2.53 bn 2.6%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

GermanyUS$ 10.4 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 10.4 bn
ChinaUS$ 6.55 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 6.55 bn
FranceUS$ 6.24 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 6.24 bn
ItalyUS$ 5.5 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 5.5 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 5.39 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 5.39 bn
United KingdomUS$ 3.95 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 3.95 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 3.7 bnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 3.67 bn
SpainUS$ 3.14 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 3.14 bn
Saudi ArabiaUS$ 2.45 bnIndia 2.5% · gap US$ 2.39 bn
United Arab EmiratesUS$ 1.96 bnIndia 2.6% · gap US$ 1.91 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export dairy products

India is the world’s largest milk producer (APEDA), but most of its milk is consumed at home, so its dairy exports are small next to New Zealand, the EU, the USA and Australia. Exports rise when India has surplus milk powder and butter, and fall when home prices rise. Ghee is India’s distinctive dairy export, bought by Gulf and diaspora markets; neighbours such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal buy milk powder and other products. The openings are ghee, paneer and Indian sweets for diaspora retail, and markets opened through veterinary certification.

  1. 01Check market access

    Dairy needs the importing country to accept Indian veterinary certificates. Check APEDA and EIC for open markets and advisories.

  2. 02Use an approved plant

    Make or buy from a plant approved by EIC and, where needed, listed by the importing country.

  3. 03Agree specs

    Fix fat, moisture, pack, shelf life and the certificates the buyer needs.

  4. 04Test each batch

    Test residues, aflatoxin M1, microbes and purity.

  5. 05Certify and ship

    Get the EIC health certificate, file the shipping bill and ship in the right container.

  6. 06Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting dairy products

Can I export ghee from a small dairy?
Only if the plant has an FSSAI licence and EIC approval for markets that require it. Many start by buying from approved cooperative plants.
Why can’t I sell Indian dairy everywhere?
Many countries accept dairy only from listed plants in approved countries, under agreed veterinary certificates.
Is milk powder export allowed?
It is Free under ITC(HS), but EIC rules apply. Confirm current conditions with EIC and APEDA before contracting.
What tests prove ghee is pure?
Reichert-Meissl value, butyro-refractometer reading, fatty-acid profile and tests for vegetable fat, set out in FSSAI and AGMARK standards.
Which dairy products travel best?
Ghee and milk powder: they need no refrigeration and keep for many months.
Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Dairy Products profile
  2. EIC — Executive instructions for export of milk and milk products
  3. APEDA — Animal Products (advisories for dairy exports)
  4. Codex Alimentarius — list of standards
  5. Directorate of Marketing & Inspection — AGMARK grade standards (commodity-wise rules)
  6. NABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (laboratory search)

Who buys Indian dairy products

All countries →

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