India’s milk supply and prices have remained stable despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, with the government confirming that dairy operations across the country continue without disruption.
According to Puja Rustagi, procurement, processing, and distribution of milk have remained uninterrupted, ensuring consistent availability in the market.
“Milk procurement, processing and supply across the country have remained uninterrupted amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. Prices of milk and milk products are stable, and payments to dairy farmers have continued throughout the period,” Rustagi said during an inter-ministerial briefing.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with multiple ministries to safeguard the dairy value chain. A series of proactive measures has been implemented to prevent any operational bottlenecks.
One of the key concerns—fuel supply to dairy plants—has been addressed through intervention by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. An order issued on April 8, 2026, ensures that critical industries, including dairy processing units, receive 70% of their pre-March LPG allocation, preventing disruptions in processing activities.
Dairy units have also been advised to gradually shift towards piped natural gas (PNG) to reduce dependence on LPG and improve long-term resilience.
The government confirmed that there is no shortage of plastic packaging materials, a critical input for the dairy industry. Close coordination with petrochemical stakeholders has ensured uninterrupted supply across the country.
Rustagi noted that concerns around packaging were addressed through collaboration under the Joint Working Group on Petrochemicals, with ongoing coordination to maintain supply stability.
Real-time monitoring and state coordination
To strengthen oversight, the government has intensified engagement with state milk federations and unions. A recent nationwide review meeting assessed the potential impact of the West Asia crisis and confirmed stable ground-level conditions.
A dedicated digital monitoring portal is also in place, enabling real-time coordination between the Centre, states, and dairy stakeholders.
Export facilitation measures
On the trade front, the government has simplified animal quarantine clearance procedures, notified on March 25, 2026, to facilitate smoother handling and return of exported dairy consignments at Indian ports.
Reiterating the sector’s resilience, officials said there are no current challenges related to fuel, packaging, or logistics, ensuring that India’s dairy ecosystem remains insulated from external disruptions.