India's Rapid Rise in the Global Mozzarella Export Market

Georgia 26.11.2025

Sourse: dairynews.today

India is making a notable impact on the global mozzarella trade, traditionally dominated by Western countries. From non-existent levels, Indian mozzarella exports have surged to $3.29 million in the first half of fiscal year 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of over 1,200%. This growth is part of a larger increase in India's dairy exports, which climbed to $493 million in the same fiscal year, reflecting an 80% rise from the previous year.

India's Rapid Rise in the Global Mozzarella Export Market

A key factor in this expansion is India's use of buffalo milk for mozzarella production, which provides a unique texture that is gaining popularity among international buyers. India boasts the largest buffalo population in the world, which is now being leveraged to enhance its export performance. The Indian government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced in 2021, has played a critical role in this transformation by encouraging investments in modern processing technologies and capacity expansion.

Amul, India's largest dairy cooperative, invested ₹200 crore to boost the production of buffalo-milk mozzarella, catering to both domestic and export markets. According to Rupinder Singh Sodhi, the former managing director of Amul's parent federation, India now enjoys surplus cheese-making capacity and competitive pricing in the global market.

The demand for Indian mozzarella is particularly strong in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe. These markets, including countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Georgia, are not only increasing orders for mozzarella but also for other cheese varieties such as cheddar. This trend indicates a strategic shift in India's dairy sector focus from traditional milk powder exports to higher-value processed dairy products.

Tarun Shridhar, former secretary of animal husbandry & dairying, highlighted that India's competitive edge in the mozzarella market is supported by structural strengths and changing global consumption trends, especially the growing global demand for pizza. This evolving dynamic is positioning India as a more influential player in the global dairy trade.