India’s market for animal products and feed expands with evolving consumer tastes

India recently passed China as the world’s most populous country, and its population is expected to continue growing. Alongside this population growth, rising incomes and increasing urbanization are transforming India into a growing market for agricultural exports. As per capita incomes rise in India, dietary patterns are shifting, with consumers showing a growing preference for animal products even though a majority belong to religions with strict dietary restrictions. Although India consumes fewer animal products than most countries, demand for products such as poultry, fish and seafood, and dairy is on the rise and is expected to grow along with higher incomes. In 2022, milk products accounted for a majority of total animal product consumption at 81.8 kilograms per person. Fish and seafood consumption was the next largest category of animal product consumed in India at 8.9 kilogram per person, followed by eggs at 4.7 kilograms. Other products followed, including poultry (3.5 kilograms), beef (2.2 kilograms), sheep and goats (0.6 kilograms), and pork (0.2 kilograms). Similarly, increased demand for animal products will drive a higher need for animal feed. While India has largely been self-sufficient in animal feed production, limited arable land makes it difficult to expand sowings. India is increasingly relying on some imports, especially soybeans and products. This chart is drawn from the USDA, Economic Research Service report, The Growing Demand for Animal Products and Feed in India: Future Prospects for Production, Trade, and Technology Innovation, March 2025. Also see Agricultural Projections to 2034.