Ghee & Specialty Cheese Manufacturing
A GrowShare Capital Project
A comprehensive business case for a high-demand, value-added dairy production facility.
Investment Thesis
This document outlines a detailed business case for establishing a state-of-the-art Ghee and Specialty Cheese manufacturing facility. The project is designed to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality, ethically-sourced dairy products in both domestic and international markets, while delivering strong returns for investors and significant positive impact for local communities.
- Identify target market segments: ethnic, health-conscious, gourmet, B2B (restaurants, retailers).
- Assess market size, growth trends, and import/export potential.
- Analyze competition in ghee and specialty cheese categories (pricing, branding, distribution).
Desi Ghee Plant Details
Introduction & Market Opportunity
- The USA ethnic food market has shown consistent demand for Desi Ghee, with imports primarily from India and Pakistan. Domestic production can significantly reduce import dependency and cater to the growing South Asian population.
- Current consumption trends suggest a 10-12% annual growth rate for authentic ghee products.
USDA Standards & Import Rules
- USDA and FDA regulate dairy production with strict HACCP compliance.
- Requires pasteurized cream or butter as input (Grade B or better).
- Final product must have Milkfat >= 99.6% and Moisture <= 0.3%.
- Certification for Halal/Kosher is necessary for target ethnic markets.
- Labeling must be FDA-compliant (Nutrition facts, allergens, origin).
Detailed Process Flow (Butter/Cream to Ghee)
- Reception & Storage of cream/butter
- Pasteurization (165°F for 30 min)
- Melting & Clarification
- Filtration & Centrifugation
- Cooling & Granulation
- Packaging & Labeling
- Quality Control Laboratory
Plant Layout & Packaging
HACCP-Compliant Layout
A full-page plant layout diagram is available, outlining a process flow designed for optimal efficiency and food safety compliance.
Packaging Formats
- 500g and 1kg jars (Retail)
- 5kg and 15kg tins (Wholesale/Export)
Investment Breakdown (Est. CAPEX: $5–9M)
| Land & Site Prep | $1.5M–4M |
| Equipment & Installation | $2M–3M |
| Certifications & Licensing | $150K–250K |
| Working Capital | $500K–800K |
Staffing & Pay Scales
| Plant Manager | $90K–120K |
| Operators | $40K–60K |
| Packaging | $35K–50K |
| Lab Analysts | $45K–65K |
| Maintenance | $50K–70K |
By-products and Value Addition
By-products include buttermilk powder, whey, and ghee residue, which can be sold for additional revenue streams in animal feed or as functional ingredients.
Recommended Suppliers & Equipment Manufacturers
- USA Suppliers: Tetra Pak, Alfa Laval, GEA
- International OEMs: SSP Pvt Ltd (India), GEM Pharma (India), various European manufacturers.