Buffalo Milk · India
Buffalo Milk in India: Share of Production, Buffalo Numbers & Trends
India is the world’s largest milk producer, at about 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24, and has about 109.85 million buffaloes according to the 20th Livestock Census (2019). Buffaloes supplied about 49% of India’s milk in 2016-17 and about 45% in 2020-21, as crossbred cows grew faster. Buffalo milk remains the backbone of India’s fat supply: ghee, butter, paneer and khoa.
Quick take
- 239.30 million tonnes of milk in 2023-24.
- 109.85 million buffaloes (20th Livestock Census, 2019).
- Buffalo share: ~49% (2016-17) → ~45% (2020-21).
- Uttar Pradesh has the most buffaloes.
Buffalo milk is so ordinary in India that its scale is easy to miss.
We make A2 buffalo bilona ghee from Murrah buffalo milk, so we have an interest here; figures are from the cited sources.
India’s milk in numbers
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total milk production, 2023-24 | 239.30 million tonnes | Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024 |
| Buffalo population | 109.85 million | 20th Livestock Census, 2019 |
| Buffalo share of milk, 2016-17 | ~49.2% | DAHD data |
| Buffalo share of milk, 2020-21 | ~45% | DAHD data |
Why the buffalo share is falling
Crossbred cows (Jersey and Holstein crosses) give more milk per animal and have spread quickly, so cow milk overtook buffalo milk around 2020-21. Male buffalo numbers also fell sharply between the 2012 and 2019 censuses, while female buffalo numbers rose. The catch for A2 buyers: crossbred cows carry A1 beta-casein, while buffalo milk is A2 (is Jersey milk A1?, is buffalo milk A2?).
Where buffalo milk comes from
Uttar Pradesh has by far the largest buffalo population, followed by Rajasthan. Murrah from Haryana and Punjab is the most important dairy breed and is used to upgrade herds nationwide (Murrah buffalo milk). India has about 20 registered buffalo breeds (buffalo breeds).
Why buffalo milk matters for ghee
Buffalo milk’s fat is roughly double cow milk’s, so buffaloes contribute a larger share of India’s milk fat than of its milk volume. Much of the country’s traditional ghee, khoa and paneer depends on it (khoa, paneer, what is buffalo ghee).
Sources & references
- Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024 — key highlights (summary)
- Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying — 20th Livestock Census 2019, All India Report
- Dairy News 7x7 — Cows move past buffaloes as India’s milk supply leaders (DAHD data, 2016-17 and 2020-21)
- ICAR-NBAGR Newsletter, January–June 2025 (registered breeds)
Frequently asked questions
How much milk does India produce?
About 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24, the most of any country.
How many buffaloes are there in India?
About 109.85 million, according to the 20th Livestock Census (2019).
What share of India's milk comes from buffaloes?
About 45% in 2020-21, down from about 49% in 2016-17.
Which state has the most buffaloes?
Uttar Pradesh, followed by Rajasthan.
India's buffalo milk, made into ghee
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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