India has once again set a new benchmark in milk production. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s recently released Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025 estimates the country’s milk output at 248 million tonnes in 2024 25. While production continues to rise every year, what worries experts is the steady decline in the growth rate over the past four years.

A decade-long view shows the trend clearly: milk production grew 6.62% in 2017–18, slowed to 5.81% in 2020–21, and has continued to fall annually since then. This slowdown raises critical questions about the future of the non crop agricultural sector - a segment that has been essential for boosting farmer incomes.

Despite the deceleration, India remains the world’s largest milk producer, contributing roughly one quarter of global output. The United States follows with a 10% share, while Pakistan (7%), China (5%) and Brazil (4%) trail behind. India also ranks second in egg production and fourth in meat production.

Per capita milk availability is projected to rise to 485 grams per day, far above the global average of 329 grams.

According to BAHS 2025, milk production is expected to reach 247.8 million tonnes in 2024–25, up 3.58% from 239.3 million tonnes in 2023–24. Per capita milk availability has surged from 319 g/day in 2014–15 to 485 g/ day now. These figures are based on an Integrated Sample Survey conducted between March 2024 and February 2025.

Five states account for more than 54% of India’s milk output: Uttar Pradesh (15.66%), Rajasthan (14.82%), Madhya Pradesh (9.12%), Gujarat (7.78%), and Maharashtra (6.71%). Production grew by 4.97% in exotic/ crossbred cattle, 3.51% in indigenous cattle, and 2.45% in buffaloes.

Egg Production: Growth Also Slowing

Egg output is projected at 149.1 billion in 2024–25, reflecting 4.44% growth, higher than last year’s 3.18% but still among the weakest growth rates in a decade. In 2019–20, egg production soared 10.19%, more than double the current level.

Per capita egg availability continues to rise—from 62 eggs/year in 2014–15 to 106 eggs/year in 2024–25. The top producing states are Andhra Pradesh (18.37%), Tamil Nadu (15.63%), Telangana (12.98%), West Bengal (10.72%), and Karnataka (6.67%).

Commercial poultry accounts for 125.9 billion eggs (84.49%), while backyard poultry contributes 23.1 billion eggs (15.51%).

Meat Production: Tepid Increase

India’s total meat production is estimated at 10.5 million tonnes in 2024–25, a 2.46% rise over the previous year—one of the lowest growth rates in ten years, second only to the 2.30% rise recorded in 2020–21. Last year, meat production grew 4.95%. Poultry contributes 5.18 million tonnes, nearly half of the total.

The top meat-producing states—West Bengal (12.46%), Uttar Pradesh (12.20%), Maharashtra (11.57%), Andhra Pradesh (10.84%), and Telangana (10.49%)—together account for 57.55% of national output.

Wool Production: Mild Recovery

India produced 34.5 million kg of wool in 2024–25, growing 2.63% over the previous year. Growth was 0.22% in 2023-24. The sector remains highly concentrated, with Rajasthan alone contributing 47.85%. Other major producers include Jammu & Kashmir (22.88%), Gujarat (6.22%), Maharashtra (4.75%), and Himachal Pradesh (4.30%), collectively accounting for 85.98% of the country’s wool output.

Livestock contributes over 30% of India’s agricultural GVA and 5.5% of the national GVA. Exports of livestock products are projected to rise to Rs 66,249 crore in 2024–25, driven largely by bovine meat. The broader agriculture, forestry and f isheries sector contributed 17.8% to national GVA in 2023–24. Most notably, the livestock sector’s GVA has risen 195% between 2014–15 and 2023–24—far outpacing crop production.

According to the annual report (2024-25) of the department, the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the livestock sector was about Rs 13,55,460 crores at current prices during FY 2022-23. At constant prices (2011-12), the GVA of Livestock Sector is about Rs 6,90,268 crores.