Amul Leads Global Dairy Brand Strength Ranking
Gujarat-based farmer-owned cooperative Amul has been named the world’s strongest dairy brand in 2026, according to Brand Finance’s Food & Drinks 2026 report. The Indian dairy major achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93 out of 100 and received the highest AAA+ rating, placing it ahead of several leading international dairy companies.
Amul ranked above Vietnam’s Vinamilk, Finland’s Valio, China’s Mengniu and Yili, highlighting the growing global strength of Indian dairy brands.
The ranking evaluates factors including brand familiarity, trust, influence and consumer relationships. Amul’s strong performance reflects the cooperative’s combination of affordability, consistent quality, extensive distribution and long-standing consumer trust.
Strong Product Innovation Supports Amul’s Position
Brand Finance highlighted Amul’s product innovation as one of the factors supporting its strong brand position. The cooperative launched nearly 100 products during the year, demonstrating its continued focus on expanding its portfolio and responding to changing consumer preferences.
Amul is also planning to expand its dairy exports to the United States, supporting its ambition to strengthen its international presence.
According to Brand Finance India Managing Director Ajimon Francis, Amul’s strength comes from the combination of its cooperative ecosystem, societal impact, affordability, quality and emotional connection with consumers.
Amul Outperforms Major Global Dairy Brands
Amul’s BSI score of 93 placed it at the top of the global dairy brand-strength ranking. Vinamilk followed with a score of 89.6, while Valio recorded 88.3.
| Rank | Dairy Brand | BSI Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amul | 93.0 |
| 2 | Vinamilk | 89.6 |
| 3 | Valio | 88.3 |
| 4 | Mengniu | 87.2 |
| 5 | Yili | 85.0 |
The remaining brands in the top 10 included Almarai, President, Arla, Danone and Gerber.
Yili Remains the World’s Most Valuable Dairy Brand
While Amul secured the top position for brand strength, China’s Yili retained its position as the world’s most valuable dairy brand.
Yili’s brand value increased by 29% to $14.5 billion, putting it ahead of Danone at $8.2 billion and Mengniu at $6 billion. Yili’s diversified portfolio, which spans liquid milk, milk powder, yoghurt, ice cream and nutritional products, has helped it benefit from rising demand for healthier and functional dairy products.
Denmark-based Arla recorded the fastest growth among the top 10 most valuable dairy brands. Its brand value increased 39% to $3.4 billion.
Indian Dairy Brands Gain Global Recognition
The recognition for Amul comes as Indian food and dairy brands increasingly expand beyond their domestic markets. Brand Finance noted that companies including Mother Dairy, Britannia and Nandini are also converting strong domestic consumer relationships into growing global brand value.
Amul’s cooperative model remains a major differentiator. The company connects millions of farmers with consumers while building a widely recognised consumer brand.
Brand Strength and Brand Value Tell Different Stories
The distinction between Amul and Yili highlights the difference between brand strength and brand value. Amul leads on the strength metric, which considers factors such as familiarity, trust and influence, while Yili leads in financial brand value.
Together, the rankings underline the increasingly competitive nature of the global dairy industry, where consumer trust, innovation, product diversification and international expansion are becoming important drivers of brand growth.
Amul’s latest recognition strengthens India’s position on the global dairy map and demonstrates how a farmer-owned cooperative can build one of the world’s most influential food brands.
