Latest Dairy Trends in 2024 To Watch Out for Dairy Industry

India is one of the largest milk producers globally with a 25% contribution in global milk production. The milk production in India has increased by 58% in the past nine to ten years. The top milk-producing states in India are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. These states collaboratively contribute 53.11% of total milk production in the country.

Dairy foods are considered an important source of many nutritional and functional compounds. However, dairy equipment manufacturers are always searching for sustainable processing techniques and other new technologies to offer innovative solutions to this dynamic food sector. In this article, we will learn about the latest dairy trends in 2024 that are prevailing in India.

Dairy Trends 2024 in India

The dairy industry is constantly changing. After Covid, the consumer's behaviour took a shift. In 2023, there has been a strong focus on health-promoting properties, particularly through the addition of high-quality protein, probiotics, and prebiotics. Rising consumption is the major driving factor of the Indian dairy industry. Population growth and increasing income levels are fueling this rise.

The top game-changer dairy trends that are shaping the future of the dairy industry are:

Health-Conscious Behavior

Post covid, health and wellness have become a primary focus for consumers. The increasing number of health-conscious consumers started moving towards milk and bi-products that supplement food with the nutrition required for the body. They want products high in protein, low-fat/fat-free, healthy probiotics, and dairy snacks that are baked, gluten-free, and sugar-free or with no added sugar.

The recent dairy trends have shown that consumers can get the best of both worlds i.e., no compromise on taste or health. These products include ice creams with low fat or sugar-free content and frozen yoghurt with probiotics. With the introduction of these products, consumers are willing to compromise on indulgence for healthier food.

Technological Advancements

Dairy equipment manufacturers are progressively adopting advanced technologies and making profound changes in the production of dairy products. The integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automated milking systems, smart sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), etc., has enhanced the milk plant.

The Indian Dairy Industry is adopting new-age technologies that are harnessing to reduce milk wastage, monitor cattle health, optimize the milking process by digitizing operations, optimize logistics, and ensure milk quality. These have increased the overall efficiency and safety of highly perishable goods.

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Plant-Based Products

Plant-based dairy products are becoming a great alternative to milk products. In India, the demand is rising due to the diversity of plant-based products offered and consumer's increasing health awareness, vegan lifestyle, and environmental concerns. Consumers prefer organic products, which has led to the increasing demand for plant-based/organic milk.

Currently, the types of plant-based milk available are almonds, soya, oats, coconut, and millet milk. These organic milk producers claim to use no artificial insemination, fertilizers and pesticides for fodder, or hormone injections. These present themselves as an alternative to dairy products while claiming the goodness of dairy with distinct health benefits.

Apart from this, dairy trends 2024 also show increased consumption of dairy alternatives like plant-based yoghurt, butter, cheese, margarine and spreads, and fungi-based yoghurt.

Clean Label Products

Consumers are demanding products free from antibiotics, hormones, and lactose, and the demand for clean-labeled dairy products is also surging. Clean-label products have become a necessity and a new supreme for dairy producers. The main area of focus in the dairy industry is to provide sustainable nutrition to everyone in an environment-friendly manner.

In conclusion, Dairy products have a pivotal role in providing a balanced diet with a calcium-rich content, a valuable source of protein, vitamins such as vitamin D and B12, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. With consumers adapting to a health-conscious lifestyle and gaining awareness about lactose intolerance, the need for lactose-free and plant-based dairy alternatives is growing. Along with the diversified consumption, the technological advancements in the milk industry are also undergoing a revolution. This new consumer trend is now re-designing and shaping the market dynamics of the dairy industry.