India is the world’s largest milk producer, yet challenges related to availability, price stability, and efficient utilization persist. This article presents a comprehensive national-level assessment of milk and milk product flows in India, tracing their movement from production to final consumption. Using primary data from major milk-producing regions, the analysis estimates marketed surplus, channel-wise procurement, processing patterns, value addition, and utilization by households, institutions, and exports. The findings reveal the dominance of informal channels, the central role of milk plants in processing, and a large private final consumption expenditure. The article highlights key implications for strengthening dairy value chains and guiding policy and industry interventions.
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