Kolkata: In a landmark move set to transform the dairy landscape of eastern India, Amul has announced plans to establish the world's largest curd manufacturing plant in Howrah, near Kolkata. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets products under the iconic Amul brand, has committed ₹600 crore to this ambitious project at the Sankrail Food Park in Howrah district .
Unprecedented Production Capacity
The facility will be designed as an integrated dairy complex rather than a standalone curd unit. Once fully operational, it will boast a staggering production capacity of 10 lakh kilograms of curd and curd-based products daily . The plant will also process 15 lakh litres of milk every day .
Beyond curd — including Bengal's beloved mishti doi (sweet yoghurt) and tok doi (sour yoghurt) — the facility will manufacture a wide range of products such as lassi, buttermilk, ice cream, paneer, ghee, flavoured milk, and UHT milk .
Why Bengal?
The investment is deeply rooted in local culture and market dynamics. West Bengal's dairy market was valued at nearly ₹89,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at over 12 per cent annually through 2033 . Amul is already the largest fresh milk brand in the state, selling over 10 lakh litres of milk daily with a procurement network spanning 14 districts and involving more than 1.2 lakh women milk producers .
Amul Managing Director Jayen Mehta, who announced the project at the Bengal Global Business Summit, noted: "The consumers of Bengal have a strong preference for curd. This plant will help cater to the growing demand in the market" .
Two-Phased Development
The plant is being developed in two phases by the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (popularly known as Amul Dairy), the Anand-based manufacturing arm behind the Amul brand . The facility will serve Kolkata and neighbouring districts first, before strengthening Amul's footprint across eastern India . Products manufactured locally are expected to be fresher and potentially more competitively priced over time, compared to those transported from Gujarat .
The project aligns with the Centre's White Revolution 2.0 initiative, aimed at boosting dairy production and rural livelihoods, and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities while strengthening the dairy cooperative movement in Bengal.
