Kochi: Gulf countries are currently showing an increasing preference for milk products. During the last financial year, a large amount of milk products were exported to Gulf nations through various airports and ports in Kerala, with the UAE leading the imports.
In the past financial year, UAE imported 1,316.47 tonnes of milk products via Kerala, with India earning Rs 82.18 crore in export revenue. This marked an increase from 891.9 tonnes exported in the previous year. Saudi Arabia (354.68 tons), Qatar (279.46 tons), and Oman (295.83 tons) follow as the next top importers of milk products via Kerala. These products include ghee, butter, cheese, milk, buttermilk, milk powder, and even ice cream.
The growing demand in Gulf countries is driven by the health benefits associated with consuming milk and its products. Exporters also attribute the increasing exports to the presence of Malayali communities in these regions.
Apart from Kerala’s own milk products, neighbouring States’ products are also routed through Kerala for export purposes.
India remains the largest milk producer globally, with Uttar Pradesh leading in production. States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat closely follow. However, Kerala does not rank in the top 10 states in terms of milk production.
India’s fallen export earnings
Last financial year, 1.73 lakh tonnes of milk products were exported from the country. In 2022-23, it was 1.56 lakh tonnes. However, there has been a decline in export revenue, which decreased from Rs 4,709.17 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 3,882.02 crore in 2023-24.
In the last financial year, the largest quantity of milk products was exported from India to the US, totaling 71,250.87 tonnes with export earnings of Rs 1,926.23 crore. The UAE ranks second, with 15,802.29 tonnes exported, earning Rs 495.34 crore.
Bangladesh (14,868.31 tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (8,322.23 tonnes) follow closely.
Source: Mathrubhumi