Animal welfare is similarly underdeveloped and most companies lack a policy, let alone species-specific standards, measurable goals or timelines. Only a small minority reference high-welfare sourcing such as tether-free or cage-free, and few currently disclose measurable progress. These gaps reflect the challenges seen across Asia, underscoring the persistent gap between awareness of protein-related risks and demonstrable execution. | Photo courtesy: istock.com
According to the ‘Asian Protein Buyers (APB) 100: An Assessment of Responsible and Sustainable Sourcing’ released by Asia Research and Engagement (ARE), India’s listed food companies are accelerating improvements in the way they manage protein-related supply chain risks across meat, dairy, poultry and seafood supply chains, broadly matching Asia’s average performance, but significant gaps remain on climate and animal welfare.
The APB100 is an investor-backed benchmark that assesses how Asia’s 100 largest listed protein-sourcing companies – headquartered in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore – manage environmental, social and governance considerations underlying meat, dairy, poultry and seafood supply chains, it said in a media statement.
Noting that India is one of the fastest growing markets in the benchmark, the statement said the average score of Indian companies has more than doubled, from about 7 per cent in 2023 to 16 per cent in 2025. The findings are based on an assessment of 13 listed Indian food companies, including food manufacturing and restaurant chains. Eleven of the 13 companies improved year-on-year, and collectively they play a key role in shaping domestic protein sourcing and demand.
India’s overall performance in 2025 is broadly in line with the Asia-wide average score, but the pace of improvement stands out with a higher proportion of Indian companies improving year-on-year. Like Asia as a whole, progress in India is still evolving. It said gains are concentrated in fundamental disclosures, while supply chain implementation continues to decline.
India’s strongest performance is in traceability, sourcing and labour, reflecting widespread adoption of supplier codes, sourcing policies and due diligence frameworks. This shows that many Indian food companies are starting to establish basic supply-chain governance. However, disclosure remains largely process-based with limited evidence of outcomes-based monitoring, treatment or consideration of full supply-chain coverage or appropriate protein transitions.
Climate and animal welfare
Despite overall improvements, climate and animal welfare remain areas where many Indian companies are at an early stage of their journey. More than half of Indian companies have not yet started disclosing climate-related indicators, including Scope 3 emissions risks, targets or transition plans. The statement said references to recognized disclosure frameworks are limited, and full emissions reduction commitments are rare.
Animal welfare is similarly underdeveloped and most companies lack a policy, let alone species-specific standards, measurable goals or timelines. Only a small minority reference high-welfare sourcing such as tether-free or cage-free, and few currently disclose measurable progress. These gaps reflect the challenges seen across Asia, underscoring the persistent gap between awareness of protein-related risks and demonstrable execution.
Quoting Rituj Sahu, director of Protein Transition (India), the statement said: “India can become a reference point for how emerging markets manage large-scale protein transitions in meat, dairy, poultry and seafood systems. Early progress on supply-chain governance is encouraging. What matters now is converting that momentum into measurable action across sourcing, climate, responsible antibiotic use and animal welfare.”
Praveer Srivastava, executive director of the Plant Based Foods Industry Association, said: “India stands at a juncture where responsible protein sourcing is becoming central to climate resilience and long-term food-system sustainability. The APB100 findings emphasize that diversifying protein sources – including plant-based and other sustainable options – is not only an environmental priority, but a strategic imperative for industry preparedness and risk management.”
Key Indian companies assessed in the APB100 include Devyani International, Jubilant Foodworks, Mrs. Bectors Food Specialties, Nestle India, Parag Milk Foods, Sapphire Foods, Tata Consumer Products, Hindustan Unilever and other key buyers shaping India’s protein supply chain.
Published on February 25, 2026
