Anand, Gujarat, September 15, 2025: India’s cheese industry marked a historic milestone as the First Indian Cheese Festival 2025 concluded on a celebratory note at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand. The event was jointly organised by the Indian National Committee of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) in association with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, with technical support from NDDB and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal.
🧀 A Celebration of Indian Cheese Diversity
The festival spotlighted the innovation, diversity, and global aspirations of India’s dairy sector, bringing together 12 participants with 59 varieties of cheese from cooperatives, startups, and artisanal producers.
Activities included competitions, exhibitions, tasting sessions, panel discussions, and technical seminars—all designed to inspire innovation, improve quality standards, and expand the market potential of Indian cheese.
🏆 Winners Across Categories
The prize distribution ceremony honoured excellence in both traditional and innovative cheese-making:
- Ripened Cheddar (6 months): Bengaluru Milk Union Limited
- Unripened Mozzarella Diced: Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. and Indarpur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd. (joint winners)
- Innovative Cheese (Belper Knolle Style – Kaali Mari): Vivanda Gourmet (Eleftheria Cheese)
- Non-Cow Milk Cheese (Fetta): Vivanda Gourmet
- Artisanal Traditional Cheese: Churp, .irecognisedzed for its indigenous “Churpi”)
- Special Mention: Corona Dairy for its Smoked Cheddar, appreciated for creativity and craftsmanship
👩⚖️ Esteemed Jury
The jury included eminent dairy scientists and industry experts:
- Dr. Suresh Kumar Kanaujia, Former Principal Scientist, NDRI
- Dr. Atanu Jana, Former Principal, SMC College of Dairy Science
- Shri Kaushal Vaishnav, Business Manager, South Asia, Novonesis
- Shri Rakesh Kumar, Chef, Madhubhan, Anand
- Dr. Aditya Jain, DGM, NDDB
They were felicitated by senior dignitaries for their role in shaping this pioneering event.
🗣️ Leadership Insights
In his closing remarks, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, emphasised the importance of growing India’s organised cheese sector:
“The cheese market in India is still emerging, but opportunities are vast. With greater innovation, collaboration, and quality focus, Indian cheese can capture a larger share of both domestic and global markets. Hosting the first-ever cheese festival at NDDB is a proud moment, and a step toward realizing this potential.”
Dr. R.S. Sodhi, President of the Indian Dairy Association, along with officials from DAHD and NDRI, echoed this sentiment, noting that value-added dairy products like cheese will play a key role in India’s dairy market growth and export potential.
📊 Cheese Festival Reflects Rising Cheese Demand in India
The successful launch of the festival is not just a cultural milestone but also a signal of the growing appetite for cheese in India.
- Urban consumption is rising, driven by changing lifestyles, exposure to global cuisines, and growth in quick-service restaurants and cafés.
- Value-added dairy products, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and speciality artisanal cheeses, are experiencing increasing demand in both retail and HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering) segments.
- Market analysts project double-digit growth for India’s cheese segment, making it one of the fastest-growing categories in the value-added dairy industry.
The Cheese Festival highlights how cooperatives, private dairies, and startups are positioning themselves to meet this demand, while also exploring export opportunities as Indian cheese gains global recognition.
🌍 Why This Festival Matters
India, known as the world’s largest producer of milk, is now moving decisively toward value-added dairy products. Cheese, in particular, is gaining traction among urban consumers and presents strong export opportunities.
The festival not only celebrated the craftsmanship of Indian cheesemakers but also aligned with the government’s vision to boost entrepreneurship, rural livelihoods, and global competitiveness in dairy.
✅ Key Takeaways
- India’s first cheese festival showcased 59 cheese varieties across cooperatives, startups, and artisanal brands.
- Winners included Bengaluru Milk Union, Mother Dairy, Indarpur Dairy, Vivanda Gourmet, and Chu rpi. In Corona Dairy.The
- NDDB Chairman highlighted the need for the organised sector to expand its market share in cheese.
- The festival reinforced the importance of value addition, innovation, and export readiness in Indian dairy.
- Growing demand signals that cheese is set to become a significant growth driver in India’s dairy industry.
