India’s milk production is expected to reach a record 230.58 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23, marking a 4.2 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This growth is always concerned about potential stagnation in output due to lumpy skin diseases (LSDs) reported in cattle last year.
Despite the positive outlook, this growth rate represents the slowest in the last five years. In the 2018-19 fiscal year, milk output was 187.7 million tonnes, experiencing a 6.47% increase from the previous year.
According to the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 released on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh holds the highest share, contributing 15.72 per cent to the country’s total milk production. Other significant contributors include Rajasthan (14.44 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (8.73 per cent), Gujarat (7.49 per cent), and Andhra Pradesh (6.7 per cent).
Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala highlighted the highest growth in milk production in Karnataka (8.76 per cent), West Bengal (8.65 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (6.99 per cent) during the 2022-23 fiscal year compared to the previous year.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year, India’s milk production stood at 221 million tonnes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, India maintained its position as the world’s leading milk producer, contributing 24 per cent to global milk output in 2021-22.
Despite being the largest milk producer since 1998, the commodity has been the second-biggest factor, after cereals like rice and wheat, influencing retail inflation in recent years.
In April, concerns were raised that India’s milk production in 2022-23 might remain stagnant or experience a marginal increase due to LSDs and the impact of COVID-19. However, officials now suggest that retail milk prices are unlikely to spike until the middle of next year due to improved supplies since April and the onset of the ‘flush’ season, coupled with adequate monsoon rains in key producing areas.
Several factors, including the high cost of feed and raw materials, supply challenges, LSD, and rising dairy exports, have impacted milk production and costs. Organised players like Mother Dairy and Amul responded by increasing milk prices multiple times over the past year.
The estimates for the production of milk, eggs, meat, and wool are based on the results of an integrated sample survey conducted thrice annually during the summer (March-June), rainy (July-October), and winter (November-February) seasons.
Meanwhile, egg production rose to 103.8 billion in 2022-23, a 6.77per cent increase from the previous year. Key egg-producing states include Andhra Pradesh (20.13 per cent), Tamil Nadu (15.58 per cent), Telangana (12.77 per cent), West Bengal (9.94 per cent), and Karnataka (6.51 per cent).
Meat production in the country increased to 9.77 million tonnes in 2022-23, reflecting a 5.13 per cent year-on-year increase. However, wool production experienced marginal growth, rising by 2.12 per cent to 33.61 million kg in the same period.
