News in brief:
– India is the world’s largest producer of raw animal milk, leading in cattle, buffalo, and goat milk production.
– Despite this dominance, high domestic demand limits its role in the global milk export market.
India is the world’s largest producer of raw animal milk, according to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The statistics, collected in 2023, show that the Asian nation leads the rest of the world in raw animal milk production in three of the five categories.
The FAO collects data on milk production by country in the buffalo, cattle, camel, goat, and sheep industries. It turns out that cattle and goat milk are the most widely produced, followed by buffalo, sheep, and camel milk.
Animal milk unique differences
While all types of animal milk are consumable, they have unique differences in taste, composition, and nutritional benefits.
Cattle milk is the most widely consumed worldwide, known for its balanced flavour and moderate fat content. It is the standard milk used for most dairy products, such as cheese, butter, and yoghurt.
Buffalo milk is richer and creamier than cattle milk, with higher fat and protein levels, making it ideal for producing thicker dairy products like mozzarella cheese and traditional Indian sweets.
Goat milk has a distinctive, slightly tangy flavour and smaller fat globules, which some people find easier to digest than cow’s milk. It is often preferred by individuals with mild cow milk allergies.
Sheep milk is even richer in fat and protein than buffalo milk, prized for its creamy texture and used in speciality cheeses like Roquefort and Pecorino. It is also high in vitamins and minerals.
Camel milk is less common but is gaining popularity due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is lower in fat and lactose compared to cow’s milk and has been linked to potential health benefits such as improved immunity.
India leads the world in raw animal milk production
India produced 127.15 million tonnes of cattle milk in 2023, surpassing the United States of America’s 102.68 million tonnes. China, Brazil, and Germany complete the top five, and no African country appears in the top 20.
India also leads in the production of raw buffalo milk (104.39 million tonnes) and raw goat milk (7.8 million tonnes). Milk plays a vital role in the household diet across the country, serving as a key source of nutrition for many families.
Kenya and Somalia are the leading producers of raw camel milk, while China tops the list for raw sheep milk production.
However, despite India’s dominance in production, it is not among the top exporters earning foreign exchange from shipping raw milk. Instead, countries like Germany, New Zealand, and the Netherlands lead in milk exports.
The international milk trade is an $11 billion market, but high domestic consumption in India makes it difficult for producers to supply milk to foreign markets.
Conclusion
India’s position as the world’s largest producer of raw animal milk underscores the central role dairy plays in the nation’s agriculture and daily life. While the country continues to dominate global production across multiple milk categories, its vast domestic demand limits its presence in the international export market. As global interest in diverse dairy products grows, India faces the dual challenge of meeting internal nutritional needs while exploring opportunities to enhance its participation in the lucrative global milk trade.
