India-Russia Dairy Deal Puts DairyTech 2027 Firmly in Focus
Indian Dairy Technology Gets a Route Into Russia Through New Ahmedabad Agreement
Indian manufacturers of dairy processing equipment, packaging systems and automation technology could get a clearer route into the Russian market following a memorandum of understanding signed in Ahmedabad between ITE Group and NDDB Dairy Services.
The agreement was signed during the Ahmedabad edition of the ITE India Roadshow, which brought together exporters and industry representatives to discuss business opportunities in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
For Gujarat, the meeting has particular relevance. The state has a large dairy cooperative network as well as companies that manufacture equipment used in milk processing, packaging and plant operations. The new arrangement is aimed at connecting some of these Indian suppliers with Russian dairy companies looking for machinery, technology and related services.
The MOU was signed by Dmitry Zavgorodniy, Chief Executive Officer of ITE Group, and Dr C. P. Devanand, Managing Director of NDDB Dairy Services. Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board and NDDB Dairy Services, was present at the signing.
Under the agreement, ITE Group will provide Indian companies with information on the requirements of Russian dairy processors. This includes equipment specifications, certification and conformity requirements, service needs and commercial conditions. NDDB Dairy Services will help identify Indian companies and technologies that may be suitable for those requirements.
The first steps are expected to include a joint webinar for Indian suppliers and a route towards DairyTech 2027, the international dairy manufacturing exhibition in Moscow.
DairyTech 2027 is scheduled for January 26 to 28 at Crocus Expo in Moscow. The exhibition covers milk processing equipment, packaging, refrigeration, cleaning and sanitation, quality control, ingredients, production software, automation, bottling and engineering services. Its 2026 edition recorded more than 6,200 visits from 25 countries, with 176 exhibitors from 11 countries, according to ITE Group.
The 2027 event will also include a FoodTech section covering areas such as meat, fish and poultry processing and beverage production. The organisers say the exhibition will be held for the 25th time in 2027.
For Indian machinery makers, the Russian market comes with a large gap between existing exports and potential demand.
Figures cited in India’s trade discussions show that Indian exports across about 300 products identified as having export potential in Russia were worth around $1.7 billion, compared with Russian imports of $37.4 billion in those product groups. Engineering goods form one of the largest gaps. India exports about $90 million of engineering products to Russia, while Russian imports in the segment are around $2.7 billion.
The figures cover a much wider group of products than dairy machinery alone, so they do not represent the size of the Russian dairy equipment market. They do, however, show why Indian engineering companies are being encouraged to look more closely at Russia.
The wider India-Russia trade relationship is also changing. Bilateral trade reached a record level in 2024, driven largely by India’s imports of Russian oil. At the same time, India has been looking for ways to increase exports to Russia and reduce the large imbalance in the trade relationship. Recent reporting has put the bilateral trade target at $100 billion by 2030.
Dairy technology is one area where the two sides can potentially build a more balanced trade relationship. Russian dairy companies require equipment throughout the production chain, including milk reception, processing, filling, packaging, refrigeration, cleaning, quality testing and automated production systems. DairyTech’s current exhibitor categories reflect this broad demand.
The Russian industry is also dealing with changes in its international supplier base. DairyTech’s organisers say Russian producers are investing in production capacity, modernisation and automation while access to some established European equipment suppliers, components and technical services has become more difficult. This has increased interest in suppliers from other countries.
That situation creates an opening for Indian manufacturers, although entering the market will require more than competitive prices. Machinery suppliers have to meet local technical rules, provide spare parts and after-sales service, and understand how their equipment will work with existing Russian production lines.
Dmitry Zavgorodniy said Russian dairy plants were re-equipping and looking for machinery, packaging lines and service support.
“Russian dairy plants are re-equipping, and they are looking for suppliers who can deliver the machinery, the packaging line and the service behind it. Indian engineering is competitive on all three and largely absent from the conversation. What has been missing is not capability — it is information and presence. Working with NDDB Dairy Services gives us the most credible partner in Indian dairy to get the specifications, the buyers and the certification requirements in front of the manufacturers who can act on them.”
Dr C. P. Devanand said Indian dairy engineering had developed around the needs of the country’s own producers and could be adapted for overseas markets.
“India has built its dairy sector on engineering and process expertise developed for our own conditions — equipment that is robust, serviceable and cost-effective at scale. That expertise travels. Our role in this partnership is to make sure Indian companies engage with the Russian market on an informed basis, understanding the technical and certification requirements before committing resources, and to bring useful manufacturing technology back to Indian producer-owned dairies in return.”
Dr Meenesh Shah said the international relationship could give Indian dairy producers and manufacturers access to new markets while allowing them to learn from overseas partners.
“Indian dairy’s strength has always been built on cooperation. Extending that approach to international partnerships allows our producers and manufacturers to access new markets while learning from others. We welcome any engagement that widens the opportunity available to India’s dairy value chain.”
NDDB Dairy Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board and works in areas including producer companies, productivity services and technical and management support. It has also helped establish producer-owned companies in several Indian states.
The partnership comes as India’s dairy sector itself continues to expand. NDDB has previously described India as the world’s largest milk producer and one of the largest and fastest-growing dairy markets. Dr Shah said in 2023 that India’s annual milk production had reached about 70 million tonnes after tripling over 27 years.
The next test for the Ahmedabad agreement will be whether Indian companies move from initial discussions to actual participation in the Russian market. The joint webinar and preparations for DairyTech 2027 are intended to give manufacturers a clearer picture of what Russian buyers require before they decide whether to enter the market.
For Gujarat’s dairy machinery sector, the opportunity therefore rests on practical issues: whether Indian equipment meets Russian requirements, whether suppliers can provide service and parts, and whether Russian processors are willing to buy from new suppliers.
The January 2027 DairyTech exhibition will provide the first major international meeting point under the new arrangement.
