Amul tops global dairy rankings on brand strength
India’s iconic dairy cooperative brand Amul has been named the world’s strongest dairy brand in 2026, according to the Brand Finance Dairy 10 2026 ranking. The Indian brand achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93 out of 100, placing it ahead of several major international dairy companies.
Amul’s performance highlights the strength of its consumer trust, familiarity, reputation and influence, demonstrating how a farmer-owned cooperative has developed into one of the most recognised dairy brands in the global market.
The ranking also highlights an important distinction between brand strength and brand value. While Amul leads the world in brand strength, China’s Yili continues to hold the position of the world’s most valuable dairy brand based on financial brand value.
Amul leads global competitors on brand strength
Amul recorded a BSI score of 93, comfortably ahead of Vietnam-based Vinamilk, which scored 89.6. Finland’s Valio followed with 88.3, while China’s Mengniu and Yili ranked fourth and fifth with scores of 87.2 and 85.0, respectively.
| Rank | Dairy Brand | Brand Strength Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amul | 93.0 |
| 2 | Vinamilk | 89.6 |
| 3 | Valio | 88.3 |
| 4 | Mengniu | 87.2 |
| 5 | Yili | 85.0 |
| 6 | Almarai | — |
| 7 | President | — |
| 8 | Arla | — |
| 9 | Danone | — |
| 10 | Gerber | — |
Brand strength is assessed using factors such as consumer familiarity, trust, reputation and the ability of a brand to influence purchasing decisions.
Amul’s leading score indicates the significant consumer equity the brand has built over decades, both in India and across international markets.
Yili remains the world’s most valuable dairy brand
Despite Amul’s leadership in brand strength, Yili retained its position as the world’s most valuable dairy brand.
Yili’s brand value increased 29% to $14.5 billion, reflecting the company’s strong performance across a diversified dairy portfolio. Its products span liquid milk, milk powder, yoghurt, ice cream and nutritional products.
Danone ranked second with a brand value of $8.2 billion, while Mengniu followed at $6 billion.
Amul ranked fourth in terms of financial brand value, with an estimated value of $5 billion.
This difference demonstrates that a brand’s financial valuation and its strength among consumers are separate measurements. Amul’s leadership in brand strength reflects its strong emotional connection and consumer recognition, while Yili’s higher valuation reflects its financial brand value.
Arla records fastest brand-value growth
Among the world’s top 10 most valuable dairy brands, Denmark-based Arla recorded the fastest growth.
Arla’s brand value increased 39% to $3.4 billion, highlighting growing momentum for the company in the global dairy market.
Other brands in the financial-value ranking included Almarai at $4.1 billion, President at $3.1 billion, Vinamilk at $2.6 billion, Valio at $2.1 billion and Gerber at $1.9 billion.
What Amul’s ranking means for India
Amul’s achievement is particularly significant because the brand operates through a cooperative model that connects millions of dairy farmers with consumers.
Its strong brand position demonstrates the long-term value of combining farmer ownership, consistent product quality, extensive distribution and consumer trust.
The recognition also places an Indian dairy brand ahead of several established global players on the metric of brand strength. As consumer demand increasingly shifts towards trusted, nutritious and functional dairy products, strong brand equity is likely to remain an important competitive advantage.
A different picture of global dairy leadership
The Brand Finance ranking presents two different measures of global dairy leadership.
Amul leads on brand strength, with a BSI score of 93, while Yili leads on financial brand value, at $14.5 billion.
Together, these rankings underline the changing dynamics of the international dairy industry, where consumer trust, brand recognition, product diversification and financial performance are increasingly interconnected.
For India, Amul’s position as the world’s strongest dairy brand represents a significant global recognition of the country’s cooperative dairy model and the strength of its consumer-facing dairy industry.
