Understanding Ghee & Edible Oils
Ghee & Oils are essential ingredients in Indian kitchens, playing a vital role in everyday cooking, traditional recipes, and healthy diets. From premium ghee to a wide range of edible oils, Indian consumers have access to products that cater to different culinary preferences and nutritional needs.
Ghee: Clarified butter made from cow or buffalo milk, ghee is one of India’s most valued cooking fats. Popular varieties include Desi Ghee, Cow Ghee, Bilona Ghee, A2 Ghee, and Organic Ghee, each known for its purity, rich aroma, and traditional preparation methods.
Edible Oils: These are vegetable-based cooking oils extracted from seeds, nuts, or fruits such as mustard, soybean, sunflower, groundnut, sesame, and palm. Depending on the manufacturing process, edible oils are available in refined, filtered, cold-pressed, and wood-pressed (Kolhu) varieties.
Key Brands in India's Ghee & Edible Oil Industry
Ghee & Oils have long been an essential part of Indian households, with several trusted companies contributing to the industry’s growth over the decades. Amul (GCMMF – Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) was established as a dairy cooperative in 1946 in Anand, Gujarat, while GCMMF was formed in 1973. Today, Amul Ghee is one of the company’s flagship dairy products and is trusted by millions of consumers.
Adani Wilmar – Fortune, founded in 1999 as a joint venture between the Adani Group and Wilmar International, has become one of India’s leading manufacturers of edible oils and packaged foods through its popular Fortune brand. KS Oils, established in 1985, is another prominent edible oil company known for brands such as Kalash Mustard Oil, KS Gold, and Double Sher Mustard Oil.
Founded in 1986 by V.V.V. & Sons Edible Oils in Tamil Nadu, Idhayam Group initially specialized in premium sesame oil before expanding into groundnut and other edible oils under the Mantra brand. BL Agro Industries, which began as an edible oil trading business in the 1950s, has grown into a leading food and edible oil manufacturer with well-known brands including Bail Kolhu.
In recent years, the Ghee & Oils segment has also witnessed the rise of premium brands such as Kapiva, GirOrganic, and Anveshan. These companies focus on A2 Ghee, Bilona Ghee, and Organic Ghee, catering to consumers looking for traditionally prepared, high-quality, and premium dairy products.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Amul |
| Founded By | Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel |
| Key Leader | Dr. Verghese Kurien (Father of the White Revolution) |
| Founded Year | 1946 (Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union); Amul brand officially launched in 1955 |
| Cooperative Model | Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), established in 1973 |
| Structure | Federation of 18,000+ village milk cooperative societies owned by dairy farmers |
| Product Range | Milk, Butter, Ghee, Cheese, Ice Cream, Paneer, and other Dairy Products |
| Business Model | Farmer-owned cooperative where profits are shared with member farmers |
| Impact | Played a pivotal role in India’s White Revolution, helping the country become the world’s largest milk producer |
| Famous Campaign | “Utterly Butterly Delicious” (Amul Girl advertising campaign) |
| Headquarters | Anand, Gujarat, India |
| GCMMF Established | 1973 |
| Significance | Empowered millions of dairy farmers and contributed to India’s milk self-sufficiency |
Brand Trust & Legacy: Amul is a highly trusted dairy cooperative in India, strong brand recognition.
Pure Cow Ghee Variant: Offers cow ghee (rather than buffalo or mixed) which many consumers prefer for flavor / tradition.
Good aroma: High Aroma Cow Ghee variant emphasizes aroma.
Packaging Variety: Different pack sizes and formats (tin, pouch, jar) help for different use‑cases (home, gifting, export).
Export Reach: Because exported to many countries, people abroad know the brand.
Quality Control: As part of GCMMF cooperative, using dairy from many milk producers, but with established processing standards.
. Outlets
Grocery / kirana stores across India (very widely distributed)
Modern retail chains, supermarkets
Online retailers (BigBasket, Amazon, Flipkart etc.)
Export to stores abroad for the Indian diaspora etc.
Export Market
Amul exports ghee (along with butter, cheese, paneer etc.) to around 35 countries.
Some of the countries Amul serves with ghee product exports: United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar are among top importers for Amul Cow Ghee.
According to export‐shipment data (Mar 2023 – Feb 2024), Amul Cow Ghee was exported to 31 different countries.
Price Range
Pack / Format Approx Price*
500 ml jar~ ₹330‑₹345
500 ml pouch~ ₹340
1 L pouch- ₹620‑₹650
1 L Tin (High Aroma)~ ₹680‑₹700
1 L regular tin~ ₹665
2. Aashirvaad
2015: ITC decided to enter the ghee market with “Aashirvaad ghee.
February 2018: Fresh dairy under the Aashirvaad Svasti brand was formally launched. This includes milk, curd, paneer etc.
2018: The dairy operations began from Munger (Bihar) with pouch/pasteurised milk options.
What Makes It Famous
- Brand Equity of Aashirvaad
The “Aashirvaad” prefix is already known in Indian households (atta, spices, etc.), which gives instant trust to new products under that brand umbrella.
- Quality Assurance & Farm / Supply Efforts
They have set up their own milk procurement network (farmers) under Project Gomukh. This includes sourcing, vetting, separation of cow vs buffalo milk at source.
Multiple quality checks, hygiene, etc.
Outlets
Fresh dairy products (milk, curd, paneer, etc.) are currently sold in selected cities in West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
Ghee (and organic ghee) is more widely available. For instance, Pure Cow Ghee is sold in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Delhi‑NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, etc., and via pan‑India e‑commerce platforms.
In Jharkhand, the dairy line was rolled out across ~ 2,000 general and modern trade outlets.
In West Bengal, “Aashirvaad Svasti Daily” milk launched at Rs 20 for a 470 ml pouch, across ~ 4,000+ outlets.
In Kolkata, the Lassi product was made available in over 3,000 outlets.
Price Range
Cow Ghee 1 L ₹690 – ₹1,015
Organic Cow Ghee 500 ml ~₹592
Low-Cholesterol Ghee 500 ml ~₹550
Lassi 160 ml ₹10
Milk Pouch (Daily) 470 ml ₹20
3. Patanjali Ghee
Brand: Patanjali Cow Ghee
Company: Patanjali Ayurved Ltd.
Founded: In 2006 by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna
Headquarters: Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Why Patanjali Ghee is Popular
Swadeshi appeal – “Made in India” + Ayurvedic values
Widespread availability – Available even in Tier-2/3 towns and rural markets
Brand trust – Backed by Baba Ramdev’s image and Patanjali’s Ayurvedic positioning
Health-focused advertising – Ads focus on digestion, purity, and immunity benefits of ghee
Export Market
Retail Presence:
~ 47,000 retail counters across India
~ 3,500 distributors
Presence in 18+ states through warehouses
Export Countries:
Patanjali exports to countries like USA, Canada, UK, Russia, UAE, and some European nations
Exact ghee export volumes not publicly disclosed
Price Range
Cow Ghee 1 Litre ₹650 – ₹730
Cow Ghee 500 ml / 200 ml ₹300 – ₹400 approx
4. Sri Sri Tattva Ghee
Legal / Corporate name: Sri Sri Tattva is operated by Sriveda Sattva Pvt Ltd, also known earlier as Sri Sri Ayurveda.
Founded: The company was established in 2003 in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Founder / Inspirational Leader:
The brand is under the inspiration of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (founder of Art of Living) in its ideology.
Managing Director is Arvind Varchaswi.
Why It Is Popular
Ayurvedic / Natural: The brand emphasizes Ayurvedic heritage, natural ingredients, no chemical adulteration etc. That appeals to consumers seeking purity.
Certifications: Manufacturing units have multiple certifications (e.g. GMP, HACCP, AYUSH Premium Mark, etc.) which helps build trust.
Wide Product Range: Ghee isn’t the only product — they also offer food staples, oils, personal care, wellness products. This helps cross‑selling and presence in multiple categories.
Distribution & Retail Strategy:
They have many general trade outlets (over 200,000 general trade touch‑points).
Franchise / retail stores formats (Sri Sri Tattva Mart, Wellness Place, Home & Health etc.).
Export Market
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Presence | Exports products to 35+ countries worldwide. |
| Major Export Markets | United States, Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Germany, Argentina, Nigeria, Russia, Mongolia, and several Middle Eastern countries. |
| International Retail Partnerships | Collaborates with overseas retail chains, including Al Maya Supermarkets (UAE), to expand the availability of its food, wellness, and ghee products. |
Price Range
1 L Cow’s Ghee / Pure Ghee: ₹775
500 ml Pure, Desi, or Granular Ghee: ₹335
1 kg Desi Ghee (Tetra Pack): ₹690 (MRP; discounts may be available)
Premium A2 & Bilona Ghee: ₹1,300–₹1,500+ (depending on the variant and brand)
5. Amul Buffalo Ghee
Amul Buffalo Ghee is made from 100% pure buffalo milk and is known for its rich taste, creamy texture, and distinctive aroma. Sourced from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, it is produced under Amul’s strict quality standards and is ideal for everyday cooking, Indian sweets, and traditional recipes.
Key Highlights:
- Made from 100% pure buffalo milk
- Rich aroma and creamy texture
- Naturally contains A2 protein (as stated by Amul)
- Ideal for cooking, sweets, and festive dishes
- Available through Amul stores, Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and major retail outlets
Final Verdict
If you’re interested in India’s dairy industry, you may also enjoy our detailed article on Amul. It explores the brand’s rich heritage, cooperative business model, extensive dairy product range, and the innovation that has made Amul one of India’s most trusted food brands.
FAQs
What are Ghee & Oils used for?
Ghee & Oils are essential cooking ingredients used for frying, roasting, baking, and preparing traditional Indian dishes. They also play an important role in nutrition and everyday meal preparation.
How do I choose the best Ghee & Oils?
When selecting Ghee & Oils, consider factors such as purity, ingredient quality, manufacturing process, nutritional value, and the reputation of the brand.
Which are the best Ghee & Oils brands in India?
India has several trusted Ghee & Oils brands, including Amul, Fortune, Aashirvaad, Patanjali, Idhayam, KS Oils, and BL Agro Industries.
Are Ghee & Oils suitable for everyday cooking?
Yes, Ghee & Oils can be used for everyday cooking when consumed in moderation and selected according to your dietary preferences and cooking requirements.
Where can I buy quality Ghee & Oils in India?
You can purchase Ghee & Oils from supermarkets, grocery stores, brand outlets, and leading online platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and official brand websites.
