The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), owners of Amul brand of milk and dairy products, is speeding up its Rs 3,000-crore expansion plans that involve setting up of nine new processing units in the next four years.

It is also expanding its footprint across the country for both procurement of milk and marketing of Amul brand of milk and milk products.

This is in tune with the objectives of the recently unveiled National Dairy Plan, as also the latest projections of an increase in domestic demand for these products. Estimates have pegged India's per capita milk consumption to increase from the current level of 280 ml a day.

The National Dairy Plan seeks, among other things, to invest Rs 2,200 crore in phase-one to increase the productivity per animal through better breeding and nutrition practices in 14 States, including Gujarat.

“We have 40 plants at present producing 145 lakh litres a day. After the expansion, our capacity will reach 180 lakh litres a day,” Mr R.S. Sodhi, Managing Director, told media persons here on Wednesday.

GCMMF is targeting to make Amul a Rs 30,000-crore brand by 2018. “Initially, we were targeting a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020. Now we are confident of reaching this by 2018, given latest growth and demand patterns,” Mr Sodhi said.

Its turnover last fiscal was Rs 11,670 crore, up by 20 per cent from the previous year. It markets 40 different products, including ice-cream, frozen yogurt and milk sweets, under the Amul brand.

He was in Hyderabad in connection with the launch of its latest product, Amul PRO, a protein brown health drink brand, which is competing with brands such as Bournvita, Horlicks and Complan.

Amul is aiming at a market share of 10 per cent in this category of product, which is currently estimated at Rs 3,000 crore.

amitmitra@thehindu.co.in

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