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India's Mozzarella Surge: A Pizza Market Game Changer
25 Nov
Summary
- India's mozzarella exports surged over 1,200% year-on-year in FY25.
- Booming global pizza demand and competitive pricing drive exports.
- Buffalo-milk mozzarella offers India a unique, quality advantage.
India is unexpectedly transforming the global mozzarella market, previously dominated by Western nations. Exports have surged dramatically, growing from nil in FY23 to $2.29 million in FY25 and seeing an over 1,200% year-on-year increase in April-September 2025. This remarkable growth is propelled by escalating global pizza demand and the competitive pricing and distinct texture of Indian buffalo-milk mozzarella.
The Indian government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, introduced in 2021, has significantly boosted dairy firms' capacity and technology upgrades. Companies like Amul have invested substantial amounts, capitalizing on India's natural advantage with the world's largest buffalo population. This strategic push allows India to offer a differentiated, high-quality product in a rapidly expanding market.
Mozzarella exports have proven more accessible for Indian companies than other cheeses like cheddar. Key markets for Indian mozzarella include Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. This ascent signifies a crucial step for India's dairy sector, moving beyond low-value products like milk powder towards higher-value, branded cheese exports.
